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Youth group calls for immediate suspension of NMDPRA boss pending EFCC, ICPC probe
The Arewa Youths Forum for Equity and Transparency (AYFET) has demanded the immediate suspension and investigation of Engr. Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), over allegations of unexplained expenditure amounting to over $5.5 million on the foreign education of his children.
TJ News Nigeriareports that the group issued a strongly worded statement on Thursday in Kaduna, raising serious ethical and legal concerns about Ahmed’s continued presence in public office.
The statement, signed by the AYFET President, Comrade Aminu Salihu Muktar, questioned why the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not applied the same disciplinary standards it used in other high-profile cases such as Betta Edu and Babachir Lawal.
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“President Tinubu must now confront a familiar moral question — what makes Ahmed Farouk any different from Betta Edu or Babachir Lawal? Both were removed from office for actions that cast doubt on their integrity. We expect the same standards to apply across the board,” Muktar said.
Group Alleges Lavish Spending on European Schools
AYFET alleged that verified documents and investigative reports show that Engr. Farouk Ahmed’s children attended some of the most expensive private schools in Europe, including:
- Montreux Secondary School (Switzerland)
- Aiglon College
- Institut Le Rosey
- La Garenne International School
One of the children reportedly later transferred to NIIT Pune in India, a private institution known for its international IT programs.
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According to the youth forum, the combined tuition and upkeep for all four children is estimated at $5.5 million, far exceeding the legally justifiable earnings of a career public servant.
“No Transparent Explanation from Farouk Ahmed” – Muktar
Comrade Muktar criticized Ahmed’s silence on the matter, stating that failure to explain such lavish personal expenditures raises red flags about possible abuse of office and misuse of public funds.
“Farouk Ahmed didn’t deny the schools his children attended. He didn’t show any proof of personal business, inheritance, or lawful income. In fact, he has never worked outside government. So Nigerians are right to ask: where did the $5.5 million come from?” Muktar queried.
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He further stated that Ahmed’s continued silence only deepens public suspicion and casts a shadow over President Tinubu’s anti-corruption agenda.
“This is a Moral and Legal Crisis” – Arewa Youths Warn
AYFET emphasized that Nigeria is currently experiencing severe economic hardship, with millions of children in the North unable to access basic education.
“At a time when children in northern Nigeria can’t even afford school uniforms, a public officer spends $200,000 per child per year on Swiss boarding schools. If this isn’t a textbook case of abuse of office, what is?” Muktar said.
Group Cites Betta Edu and Babachir Lawal Precedents
The group drew a sharp comparison to former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Betta Edu, who was suspended by President Tinubu after she was linked to financial irregularities involving public funds.
“President Tinubu showed resolve in Betta Edu’s case. He must do the same here. The facts are public, the outrage is real, and silence is no longer an option,” the statement read.
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It also referenced Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who was removed over allegations of contract fraud.
AYFET Demands Probe by EFCC, ICPC, CCB
The youth forum concluded by calling on President Tinubu to immediately suspend Farouk Ahmed and order an independent investigation through the:
- Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
- Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)
- Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB)
“We’re not demanding punishment without process. We’re demanding process — open, transparent, and impartial. If he is innocent, the evidence will clear him. But if not, then justice must take its course,” Muktar stated.
Public Reactions and Growing Pressure
Political analysts and civil society groups have since joined the conversation on social media, echoing calls for accountability in public office. Many questioned how such massive funds could have been spent without triggering internal audits or red flags in the NMDPRA.
Public confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory agencies, especially in the petroleum sector, remains fragile. Experts warn that any perception of selective justice could erode the credibility of Tinubu’s anti-corruption war.
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