A civil society organisation, Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI), on Wednesday stormed the headquarters of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Economic Finicial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, demanding urgent action over a corruption allegation involving the chief executive officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed.
The CSO led by its Conveners, Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince and Igwe Ude-umenta said its action followed a petition dated December 17, 2025, submitted to the Chairman of the ICPC after a public allegation by the President of Dangote Group Plc, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
Dangote, in a widely circulated video, alleged that Engr. Ahmed spent more than five million United States dollars (US$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 back the claim. He also publicly challenged the NMDPRA chief to deny the allegation.
Some of the protesters’ banners carried inscriptions such as “ICPC Must Act Now,” as the group accused the anti-graft agency of undue silence on an issue it said had generated intense public concern.
According to EUYI, 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.
It 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.”
The organisation urged the ICPC to immediately invite Engr. Ahmed to explain the source of funds allegedly used for the foreign education of his children, should the allegation be found to have merit.
EUYI stressed that its demand was not intended to cast doubt on the Commission’s commitment to the fight against corruption, but rather to underscore the urgency of prompt and transparent action in a matter of significant public interest.
“Nigeria is bleeding from the consequences of corruption. A swift, transparent investigation of allegations involving public officials is critical to restoring public confidence,” the petition stated.
The group said it would continue to monitor developments and mobilise public attention on the matter in the interest of accountability and good governance.
Providing background, the allegation comes amid heightened public scrutiny of public officials’ lifestyles and sources of wealth, as Nigeria continues to battle inflation, unemployment and declining purchasing power. Anti-corruption agencies have repeatedly been urged by civil society groups and lawmakers to act swiftly on high-profile allegations in order to deter abuse of office and reassure citizens that no individual is above the law.
The NMDPRA, where Engr. Ahmed serves as a key official, was established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to regulate Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum operations, a sector considered strategic to the nation’s economy. Officials of the authority are expected to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability, given the scale of revenues and regulatory powers involved.
EUYI noted that the allegation attributed to Dangote, one of Africa’s foremost industrialists, had further intensified public debate because of the stature of both parties involved and the sheer magnitude of the funds allegedly expended. The group argued that failure to promptly investigate the claim could erode public confidence in the anti-corruption framework and fuel perceptions of selective enforcement.
The organisation also recalled that the ICPC is statutorily empowered to investigate allegations of corruption, abuse of office and illicit enrichment involving public officers, and to file charges where sufficient evidence exists. It urged the Commission to exercise this mandate without fear or favour.
While stressing that Engr. Ahmed remains innocent until proven otherwise, EUYI maintained that inviting him to clarify the allegation would serve the public interest and allow the facts to be established transparently. It also called on relevant authorities to ensure that the investigation, if commenced, is conducted professionally and without political interference.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the ICPC nor the NMDPRA had issued an official statement on the allegation. Efforts to reach Engr. Ahmed for comments were unsuccessful.
EUYI said it would sustain peaceful advocacy and engagement with relevant institutions until the matter is conclusively addressed, insisting that accountability remains essential to good governance and national development.
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