Group Wants Probe of NMDPRA Boss Over $5.5m School Fee
The Concerned Citizens Network of Nigeria (CCNN) has demanded an immediate and transparent investigation into Engr. Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), over allegations that he spent over $5.5 million (approximately ₦8.25 billion) on his children’s secondary education abroad.
At a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the civic group described a series of full-page newspaper adverts sponsored by the NMDPRA on July 11, 2025, as a “disgraceful charade” that failed to address the core allegations. The ads appeared in multiple national dailies but were unsigned and offered no substantive response to the growing concerns.
Dr. Emmanuel Agibi, who spoke on behalf of CCNN, accused the NMDPRA boss of insulting the intelligence of Nigerians with evasive tactics, while failing to explain how a public servant could fund such a high level of luxury education.
According to the group, Ahmed’s four children—Faisal, Farouk Jr, Ashraf, and Farhana—attended some of the most expensive private schools in Switzerland including Montreux School, Aiglon College, Institut Le Rosey, and La Garenne International School, each reportedly costing $180,000–$200,000 per child per year. Over six years, the total cost per child is estimated at $1.2 million, bringing the cumulative figure to over $5 million for secondary education alone.
The CCNN further alleged that the spending spree continued into the university level, with one of Ahmed’s sons recently graduating from Harvard University, where total costs reportedly exceeded $250,000.
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“This kind of extravagant spending by a career public servant, who has never worked outside the civil service, raises serious questions about the source of his wealth,” said Dr Agibi.
The group said it had submitted a petition to the Attorney-General of the Federation, backed by weeks of fact-finding and documentary evidence, calling on anti-corruption agencies—the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)—to investigate the source of Ahmed’s funds.
“In a country where over 10 million children—especially in the North—lack access to basic education, such lavish private spending by a public official is not just a personal matter; it is a public scandal,” the group stated.
While Ahmed has not publicly denied that his children attended the named elite schools, the NMDPRA’s press statement dismissing the allegations failed to provide any details on how the education was funded—no mention of declared assets, loans, investments, inheritance, or family business income.
The CCNN said the NMDPRA’s attempt to label protesters and whistleblowers as “faceless” was a deliberate ploy to undermine lawful civic advocacy.
“We are not calling for Ahmed’s immediate removal,” Agibi noted. “What we demand is a full, open, and independent probe. If he is innocent, let a transparent investigation clear his name. If not, the law must take its course.”
The group warned that ignoring the allegations would not only damage the public service but also undermine President Bola Tinubu’s credibility on anti-corruption and accountability.
“Farouk Ahmed must step forward, disclose the source of his wealth, and subject himself to a formal inquiry,” the CCNN insisted. “This is not a witch hunt—it is the cost of public trust.”
The CCNN says it will continue to pursue the matter through legal means, formal petitions, and further peaceful demonstrations until a proper investigation is conducted.
