By Erewunmi Peace

Billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote has called for a formal investigation into the alleged $5 million secondary school fees reportedly paid by Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), for his four children.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, Dangote questioned how a public servant could afford such a large sum for overseas education, noting that even his own children did not attend schools with similar tuition fees. He described the matter as serious and deserving of scrutiny by anti-corruption and regulatory agencies.

Dangote’s remarks come amid ongoing tensions between him and the NMDPRA over petroleum sector policies, including regulations on fuel importation. While he praised transparency and accountability, Dangote stressed that public officials must maintain high standards of financial propriety.

“I call on the appropriate authorities to investigate this matter thoroughly,” Dangote said, emphasizing that such expenditures by a public official raise questions about source of funds and governance ethics.

The issue has sparked reactions across social media and the business community, with many echoing calls for greater oversight of public funds and accountability from regulatory bodies.

The NMDPRA has yet to officially respond to Dangote’s allegations.