Engr. Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has publicly defended himself against claims regarding the financing of his children’s education. The remarks come following a petition by business magnate Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
In a detailed statement on Tuesday, Ahmed addressed the $5m school fees allegation, explaining that scholarships, family contributions, and his personal savings fully covered his children’s education abroad.
He emphasized that his financial conduct is consistent with his decades-long career in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
“I have submitted annual asset declarations to the Code of Conduct Bureau, and all expenditures are verifiable,” Ahmed said, reiterating that he welcomes scrutiny.
Ahmed also pointed out that the timing of Dangote’s claim coincides with regulatory reforms implemented by NMDPRA, which have challenged entrenched practices in the petroleum sector.
“The reforms we have undertaken naturally create tension with entities whose business models depended on opacity and preferential treatment,” he added.
On the allegations, Ahmed stated that he fully authorizes all educational institutions his children attended to disclose financial records to government investigators, confident that such disclosure would disprove any wrongdoing. “I fully defend myself against any suggestion of corruption,” he said.
He further clarified that his annual compensation, combined with legitimate savings and family support, made funding his children’s education fully lawful and transparent.
Ahmed urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Code of Conduct Bureau, and the National Assembly to conduct a comprehensive review.
“This is about accountability and transparency, not personal enrichment,” Ahmed said, affirming that he will continue to uphold regulatory independence despite personal attacks.
He concluded: “I defend myself because my record and reforms serve Nigeria’s long-term interests, even when short-term tensions arise.”