A civil society organization, CSO, Coalition for Transparency, CT, has asked the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, Engr. Farouk Ahmed, to explain the source of funds for his children’s elite education abroad.
Addressing journalists on Friday, the coalition said Ahmed should account for over $5.5 million allegedly spent on his four children’s secondary and tertiary education at some of the world’s most expensive institutions.
The CSO claimed the sum involved is vastly disproportionate to Ahmed’s legitimate earnings as a career civil servant.
Coalition for Transparency alleges that the schools attended by Ahmed’s children — Faisal (Montreux), Farouk Jr., Ashraf (Aiglon College), Ashraf (Institut Le Rosey) and Farhana (La Garenne International School) – are all elite Swiss boarding schools with annual costs per child ranging from $180,000 to $200,000.
Convener of the coalition, Obinna Francis, said that in over six years tuition fees for the children amounted to between $4.32 million and $4.8 million for secondary education alone.
The coalition added that further millions went into tertiary education, including one of his son’s recent Harvard degree, which allegedly cost over $250,000 annually.
According to the CSO, the figures involved are inexplicable for a public servant with no known investments, inheritance, or side ventures.
“Engr. Ahmed’s lavish spending is a dagger in the heart of Nigeria’s struggling masses.
“While families scrounge for scraps, his children basked in institutions reserved for royalty and billionaires. His silence and vague claims of integrity are an insult to Nigerians,”; Francis said.
The CSO has petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, demanding immediate investigation of the allegations.
In the petition, the CSO demanded that Ahmed disclose his assets and prove the legitimacy of his wealth, or resign immediately.
“This is a litmus test for President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption commitment. Ahmed’s refusal to explain undermines faith in our institutions,”; Francis said.
He calling on activists and citizens to demand accountability.
“If Ahmed cannot explain how he bankrolled Swiss schools and Harvard degrees, he has no place in public office,”; Francis declared.
