The president of Dangote Refinery, Aliko Dangote, has accused the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, of living far beyond his legitimate income, renewing the public feud between both men.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Dangote alleged that Ahmed pays about $5 million, which is N7,250,250,000.00 at an exchange rate of N1450 per dollar, in school fees for each of his children attending secondary schools in Switzerland, a figure he said raises serious questions about the source of such funds.
According to Dangote, even his own wealth would attract scrutiny if he were to spend such an amount on his children’s education.
“Malam Farouk has four children whom he educated in Switzerland at a cost of about $5 million for their secondary school education alone, not university,” Dangote said. “When you look at his income, it does not match paying this kind of fee.”
He added, “Even if it were me paying $5 million over six years for my four children, the tax authorities would have to examine my taxes and how much I earn”, without providing details.
Dangote also contrasted the alleged expenditure with the economic realities faced by many Nigerians, particularly in Ahmed’s home state of Sokoto.
“Back home in Sokoto, people are struggling to pay N100,000 in school fees. Many children are out of school simply because their parents cannot afford that amount,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, Farouk Ahmed has yet to respond to the allegations or issue any official statement on the matter.
Nigerian Newssphere reports that this is not the first time Dangote and the regulator boss have fought.
Farouk had accused Dangote refinery of producing high-sulphur fuel, but Dangote denied it.
