Alleged $5.5m tuition fees: CSO tackles NMDPRA boss, demands urgent investigation

A civil society organization, CSO, Concerned Citizens Network of Nigeria, CCNN, has condemned newspaper advertisements allegedly published by Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) over allegations linked to his children’s tuition fees in foreign schools.

At a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the CSO described the content of the adverts as a “charade” designed to dodge accountability.

The group said the ads, which were unsigned, lacked substance and failed to address allegations that Ahmed spent over $5.5 million (approximately N8.25 billion) on his children’s secondary education abroad.

Convener of the Concerned Citizens Network of Nigeria, Dr. Emmanuel Agibi, demanded an immediate investigation of the allegations, accusing Ahmed of insulting the intelligence of Nigerians with his evasive tactics.

The CSO alleged that Ahmed’s children — Faisal Farouk, Farouk Jr., Ashraf Farouk and Farhana Farouk — each spent six years at some of the world’s most prestigious secondary schools: European University in Montreux, Switzerland; Aiglon College; Institut Le Rosey, known as the world’s most expensive school; and La Garenne International School, respectively.

With annual tuition and upkeep exceeding $200,000 per school, the total cost for the four children is estimated at $5 million, or roughly $1.2 million per child over six years.

“The cost per child included annual tuition fees of approximately $130,000–$150,000 and an additional $50,000 for upkeep, flights, and other expenses. For each child, this amounts to roughly $180,000–$200,000 annually, or $1,080,000–$1,200,000 over six years.

“For four children, the total expenditure ranges from $4,320,000–$4,800,000. Even now, questions remain unanswered about the tertiary education of Ahmed’s children. Having completed their secondary education, Faisal, Farouk Jr., Ashraf, and Farhana are enrolled in prestigious universities abroad, where annual costs often exceed $70,000–$100,000 per student.

“Further compounding public outrage, Engr. Farouk Ahmed’s son recently graduated from Harvard University, where tuition and associated costs exceeded $152,000, with additional expenses in the range of $100,000. This extravagant expenditure, far beyond the gross earnings of a civil servant of his calibre, places an immense burden on Nigeria’s poor taxpayers, many of whom struggle to afford three meals a day or school uniforms for their children, particularly in the northern regions.

“Notably, Ahmed has never held employment outside his role with the Federal Government since leaving school, raising further questions about the source of his wealth. The opulence displayed in funding such elite education underscores a stark disconnect between Ahmed’s lifestyle and the economic realities faced by ordinary Nigerians,” the CSO added.

The CSO urged the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate how a civil servant’s salary could fund such expenditure.

“In a nation where over 10 million children, particularly in the north, lack access to basic education, this lavish spending by a public servant is not merely a matter of personal choice—it is a moral outrage.

“While countless Nigerian families struggle to afford primary schooling, Ahmed’s children attended secondary institutions costing more per term than the annual budgets of some federal colleges. This stark inequality represents an injustice that cannot be ignored.

“The absence of transparency regarding how these ongoing expenses are funded further fuels public suspicion. If Ahmed’s wealth can support such elite secondary and tertiary education, the public deserves to know the legitimate sources of these funds, especially given his role as a public servant accountable to Nigerian taxpayers.

“The CCNN’s allegations are grounded in rigorous evidence, stemming from a petition to the Attorney-General of the Federation after weeks of verification, fact-finding, and public record reviews. We question how a public official, whose salary is known and whose assets must be constitutionally declared, could finance such an extraordinary level of overseas education without a visible commercial empire or disclosed inheritance.

“The petition raises serious concerns about potential abuse of office, asset concealment, or diversion of public funds under Ahmed’s leadership at NMDPRA. Public response has been resolute, with peaceful protests by lawyers, students, and civic groups targeting the Attorney-General’s office, ICPC, EFCC, National Assembly, and NMDPRA headquarters. These demonstrations, supported by formal letters and placards, demanded a transparent investigation.

“The NMDPRA’s attempt to dismiss these voices as ‘faceless’ is a cynical effort to undermine lawful civic engagement, further eroding public trust. The NMDPRA’s statement conspicuously avoided addressing key issues: it did not deny the children’s attendance at the listed secondary schools, nor did it provide any breakdown of how tuition was funded.

“It offered no details on asset declarations, loans, business income, family inheritance, or blind trusts, relying instead on vague appeals to Ahmed’s ‘reputation’ and ‘integrity.’ In a democracy, such claims are insufficient when a public servant’s lifestyle appears misaligned with their declared income. The burden of proof rests with Ahmed, not the public.

“The CCB, ICPC, and EFCC have constitutional mandates to investigate cases of unexplained wealth, ensuring that public officials are held accountable. This case tests the credibility of President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption and transparency agenda. The CCNN is not calling for Ahmed’s immediate removal but for an open, independent investigation. If he is innocent, a transparent process will vindicate him.

“However, continued silence risks tarnishing both his reputation and the government’s reform efforts. Ignoring these allegations would be a grave miscalculation. The CCNN is submitting additional letters, pursuing legal action, and mobilising further protests to ensure accountability. Civic vigilance is not a nuisance—it is the cornerstone of a functioning democracy.

“Engr. Farouk Ahmed must step forward, disclose his funding sources, and submit to a full inquiry. This is not persecution—it is the price of public trust. The CCB, ICPC, and EFCC must act swiftly to investigate these allegations, ensuring that justice and transparency prevail,” the civil society organization insisted.

Alleged $5.5m tuition fees: CSO tackles NMDPRA boss, demands urgent investigation