Dangote Accuses NMDPRA CEO of Corruption, Alleges $5M Paid for Children’s Swiss School Fees

By Tgnews Reporter

In a bombshell allegation that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s petroleum sector, Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has accused Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), of corruption.

According to a report published by THE CABLE, Dangote claims Ahmed funneled $5 million to elite Swiss secondary schools to cover tuition for his four children over a six-year period, raising serious concerns about the regulator’s integrity and potential conflicts of interest.

The accusations surfaced during a heated public statement from Dangote, chairman of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), amid ongoing tensions between his conglomerate and regulatory bodies overseeing Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Dangote, whose $19 billion refinery in Lagos has been at the center of recent disputes over fuel quality and market dominance, did not mince words. “This level of expenditure is far beyond what someone in his position should afford,” Dangote stated, implying that Ahmed is “living above his means” and calling for an immediate federal investigation.

While Dangote refrained from naming the specific Swiss institutions involved, he emphasized that the payments—allegedly totaling $5 million—highlight a broader issue of opaque financial dealings within the regulatory authority.

“Such extravagant spending on education abroad, while our sector faces critical challenges, demands transparency,” he added. The billionaire’s remarks come at a time when NMDPRA has been scrutinized for its handling of downstream petroleum regulations, including recent criticisms from Dangote over what he calls “malicious” attempts to undermine his refinery’s operations.

Efforts to reach the authority for comment were unsuccessful by press time. However, sources within the petroleum ministry indicate that the claims could trigger an internal probe, especially given the high stakes in Nigeria’s energy sector, where Dangote’s refinery aims to end the country’s longstanding reliance on imported fuel.

Dangote’s call for government intervention underscores his frustration with what he perceives as biased regulation. His group has previously accused NMDPRA of favoring imported products over locally refined ones, claims the authority has denied.

This latest development adds a personal dimension to the corporate feud, potentially drawing in anti-corruption agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

As the story unfolds, stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil industry are watching closely. With Dangote’s influence spanning cement, agriculture, and now refining, his words carry weight that could reshape regulatory dynamics. The federal government has not yet commented, but pressure is mounting for swift action to address the integrity concerns raised.