Aliko Dangote has released documents alleging that the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed spent more than $5 million on the secondary education of his four children in Switzerland.
Dangote signed the circular and addressed it directly to Ahmed under the heading “ALLEGATION.”
In the circular, Dangote stated that Ahmed spent over $5 million on the foreign secondary education of his children, identified as Faisal Farouk, Farouk Jr., Ashraf Farouk, and Farhana Farouk.
He listed the schools allegedly attended as Montreux School, Aiglon College, Institut Le Rosey, and La Garenne International School. According to the document, each child reportedly spent six years at the institutions.
Dangote provided a detailed cost estimate in the circular. He put annual tuition, air travel, and upkeep at $200,000 per child, bringing the annual total for four children to $800,000.
He further estimated that living expenses and travel over six years amounted to $1.2 million per child. For four children, he calculated total secondary education expenses of $4.8 million.
The circular rounded the approximate total fees for tuition and upkeep to $5 million.
Claims Extend to Tertiary Education Costs
Dangote also questioned the cost of the children’s tertiary education. He estimated annual tuition, upkeep, and travel at $125,000 per child.
Based on a four-year programme, Dangote calculated the cost at $500,000 per child. For four children, he put the total tertiary education cost at $2 million.
The document singled out Faisal Farouk for specific mention. Dangote alleged that Faisal completed an MBA at Harvard University in 2025.
He claimed that tuition alone cost $150,000, while upkeep, air tickets, and other expenses amounted to $60,000. Dangote stated that the total spent on the MBA in 2025 reached $210,000.
Dangote ended the circular with the declaration: “FACTS DON’T LIE!”
Demand for Transparency and Investigation
Dangote argued that Nigerians deserve transparency. He said the public should know how a serving public officer funded such expenses while many families struggle to pay ₦10,000 in school fees.
He accused the NMDPRA chief of undermining Nigeria’s economy and frustrating domestic refining through regulatory actions.
Speaking at a public engagement, Dangote compared the situation to selling bread below cost to sabotage a competitor. He said such actions mirror what is happening in the downstream oil sector.
Dangote warned that Nigeria must protect strategic assets, including the Dangote Refinery. He said shutting down the refinery would damage the economy, even if operations run at a loss.
He called for the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to investigate Ahmed. Dangote argued that asset declarations should explain how a lifelong public servant could fund the alleged expenses.
Dangote claimed that he could not afford to spend $5 million on secondary education for four children. He also repeated his claim that one child recently graduated from Harvard University.
He warned that he would publish the names of the schools and the fees paid if Ahmed denied the allegations. Dangote said he would sue the institutions to compel them to disclose.
As of the time of reporting, Farouk Ahmed and the NMDPRA have not responded publicly to the allegations.