- $5m Education Scandal: Protesters Demand ICPC Action Against NMDPRA Chief, Farouk Ahmed
- Dangote has formally petitioned the ICPC and EFCC
- EUYI said it would continue to monitor developments and mobilise public attention until the issue is conclusively addressed
A civil society organisation, Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI), on Wednesday staged a protest at the headquarters of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, demanding urgent action over corruption allegations involving the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the protest was led by EUYI conveners, Danesi Momoh Prince and Igwe Ude-Umenta, who said their action followed a petition dated December 17, 2025, submitted to the ICPC after public allegations made by Dangote Group President, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
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Dangote, in a widely circulated video, had alleged that Ahmed spent more than $5 million on the secondary school education of four of his children in Switzerland, insisting that he possessed what he described as incontrovertible and empirical evidence to substantiate the claim. He also publicly challenged the NMDPRA chief to deny the allegation.
The billionaire businessman has since formally petitioned the ICPC and EFCC, urging the anti-graft agencies to investigate the matter without delay.
During the protest, demonstrators displayed placards with inscriptions such as “ICPC Must Act Now”, accusing the anti-corruption agencies of undue silence on an issue they said had generated widespread public concern.
EUYI noted that more than 48 hours after the allegation became public, and over 24 hours after the petition was reportedly submitted, there had been no public denial or clarification from Engr. Ahmed.
“In a country grappling with widespread poverty and severe economic hardship, allegations of this magnitude involving a public office holder cannot be ignored,” the group said.
The organisation added that at prevailing foreign exchange rates, the alleged $5 million expenditure translates to over ₦7.2 billion, a figure it described as alarming and deeply disturbing.
EUYI urged the ICPC to immediately invite the NMDPRA chief to explain the source of funds allegedly used for the foreign education of his children, should the claims be found to have merit.
The group stressed that its demand was not an indictment of the Commission but a call for prompt, transparent and accountable action in a matter of significant public interest.
“Nigeria is bleeding from the consequences of corruption. A swift and transparent investigation of allegations involving public officials is critical to restoring public confidence,” the group stated.
EUYI said it would continue to monitor developments and mobilise public attention until the issue is conclusively addressed, insisting that accountability remains central to good governance.
The allegation against Ahmed comes amid heightened public scrutiny of public officials’ lifestyles and sources of wealth, as Nigeria battles inflation, unemployment and declining purchasing power. Civil society groups and lawmakers have repeatedly urged anti-corruption agencies to act swiftly on high-profile allegations to deter abuse of office and reassure citizens that no individual is above the law.
The NMDPRA, established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), regulates Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum operations, a sector considered critical to the nation’s economy. Officials of the authority are expected to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability due to the scale of revenues and regulatory powers involved.
EUYI noted that the allegation has further intensified public debate given the stature of both parties involved and the magnitude of the funds allegedly expended. The group warned that failure to act promptly could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework and fuel perceptions of selective enforcement.
While emphasising that Engr. Ahmed remains innocent until proven otherwise, the organisation maintained that inviting him to clarify the allegation would serve the public interest and allow the facts to be established transparently.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the ICPC nor the NMDPRA had issued an official statement on the matter. Efforts to reach Engr. Ahmed for comments were unsuccessful.
EUYI said it would sustain peaceful advocacy and engagement with relevant institutions until accountability is ensured.
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