A powerful alliance of Nigerian civil society and diaspora organizations has declared a series of coordinated international protests, demanding the immediate ouster of Farouk Ahmed as the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). The uproar stems from explosive allegations that Ahmed spent a staggering $5 million on overseas secondary school fees for his children.
Protests Planned Across Three Continents
The coalition has scheduled demonstrations to commence on Wednesday, December 17, starting at the NMDPRA headquarters in Abuja. The protests will subsequently spread to other major Nigerian cities throughout the week. In a significant escalation, parallel actions are planned at the United Nations House in New York and the Nigeria House in London, internationalizing the campaign for accountability.
The allegations against the regulatory chief were first made public by Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, during a press conference in Lagos. Dangote, whose massive refinery project falls under the NMDPRA's regulatory purview, called for a probe into the matter, further fueling public outrage.
A Coalition United Against "Betrayal of Public Trust"
The protest movement unites a broad spectrum of groups, including the Nigerian Citizens for Transparency, Anti-Corruption Alliance of Nigeria, Sokoto Welfare Foundation, and the Petroleum Workers Union of Nigeria. Diaspora organizations in the United States and the United Kingdom are also key participants.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Comrade Dan Danilson condemned Ahmed's alleged conduct as a profound betrayal. "Nigerians are deeply shocked and outraged that a public official entrusted with regulating a critical national resource has allegedly squandered millions of dollars sending just three of his children to exclusive secondary schools in Switzerland," Danilson stated. He contrasted this with the plight of millions in Ahmed's home state of Sokoto and across Nigeria who struggle to afford basic education.
Danilson framed the issue as one of national economic sabotage, alleging that Ahmed's "lavish lifestyle, funded by questionable wealth" while in a sensitive economic post is an insult to ordinary citizens. He asserted that the actions attributed to the NMDPRA boss point to a deep corruption and conflict of interest that undermines Nigeria's energy independence goals.
Sustained Pressure for Removal and Investigation
The coalition has vowed to maintain pressure until Ahmed is not only removed from office but also subjected to a comprehensive investigation. Organizers warn that failure by authorities to act decisively will be interpreted as tolerance for corruption within the vital petroleum sector.
"The protests starting Wednesday from his very office will send an unmistakable message: Farouk Ahmed must go now," Danilson declared. "We call on all Nigerians—home and abroad—to join this historic stand against corruption."
The protest announcement comes amid broader concerns about the oil and gas sector raised by Aliko Dangote. In a recent briefing at his Lekki refinery, Dangote warned of a "mafia" operating within the industry and described extensive, organized sabotage against local refining efforts, adding context to the high-stakes environment surrounding the NMDPRA's leadership.
