In a significant move underscoring his stance on corporate governance, Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, has escalated a major corruption allegation to Nigeria's premier anti-graft agency. The billionaire industrialist has formally lodged a petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the former head of a key petroleum regulator.
Petition Shifted to EFCC for Faster Action
Dr. Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, initiated this legal action through his lead counsel, Dr. O.J. Onoja S.A.N. This step follows a strategic withdrawal of an identical petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). The shift to the EFCC is reportedly a calculated decision aimed at accelerating the investigation and potential prosecution process.
The petition, filed at the EFCC headquarters, specifically calls on the commission, under the leadership of Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, to probe Engr. Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). The allegations center on abuse of office and corrupt enrichment.
Elite Swiss Schools and Multi-Million Dollar Expenditure
The core of Dangote's complaint, which was first raised publicly in December 2025, details extravagant educational spending on Ahmed's children that appears to vastly exceed a public servant's legitimate earnings. The petition provides a meticulous breakdown of costs.
According to the document, all four of Ahmed's children attended prestigious secondary schools in Switzerland, with each completing a six-year program. The children and their institutions are named as: Faisal Farouk (Montreux School), Farouk Jr. (Aiglon College), Ashraf Farouk (Institut Le Rosey), and Farhana Farouk (La Garenne International School).
Dangote's legal team estimated the annual cost for tuition, travel, and upkeep per child at $200,000. This translates to a staggering total of approximately $5 million for their collective secondary education alone.
The financial scrutiny extends to tertiary education. The petition alleges an additional $2 million was spent on university education for the four siblings. A specific highlight is the $210,000 purportedly paid for Faisal's MBA program at Harvard University in 2025.
A Call for Accountability and Deterrence
In the petition, Dangote's counsel urged the EFCC to act swiftly, citing relevant legal precedents like Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018). They argued that a firm resolution by the commission is "imperative and expedient" and would "serve as a deterrent to other public officers out there with such corrupt proneness and tendencies."
Drawing a stark contrast, Dangote questioned the source of these multi-million dollar funds, especially considering that many parents in Ahmed's home state of Sokoto struggle to pay modest school fees as low as ₦10,000. The petition emphasizes that a comprehensive investigation is crucial to ensure accountability and restore eroding public trust in Nigeria's regulatory institutions, particularly in the critical oil and gas sector.
This development reinforces Aliko Dangote's persistent advocacy for transparency and ethical conduct within the Nigerian business and regulatory landscape, setting the stage for a high-profile legal confrontation.
