ActionAid Nigeria has joined growing calls for an investigation into the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr. Farouk Ahmed, describing the allegations against him as a matter of urgent national and economic importance.
In a statement issued by its Country Director, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, the organisation said allegations that about $5 million—estimated at ₦7.5 billion—was spent on the secondary education of four children raise serious concerns about possible living far beyond legitimate means.
While stressing that the claims remain allegations, Mamedu said they are grave and disturbing, and require accountability, transparency, and integrity from public office holders. He described the situation as a critical test of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to the fight against corruption and the principle that public office should serve national, not personal, interests.
ActionAid Nigeria called on anti-graft agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to commence an immediate, comprehensive, and independent investigation, insisting that the outcome should be made public to restore confidence and demonstrate that no one is above the law.
Speaking in Abuja, Mamedu commended industrialist Alhaji Aliko Dangote for what he described as a courageous act of whistleblowing on the alleged impropriety, urging Nigerians across the public and private sectors to speak out against corruption. He emphasised that whistleblowers play a critical role in protecting public resources and must be encouraged and protected.
He further argued that the allegation highlights a broader governance challenge, noting that the lavish lifestyles of many public office holders, often inconsistent with their verifiable incomes, have become a national embarrassment and a driver of poverty and inequality. According to him, unchecked displays of wealth erode accountability and divert resources from essential sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure.
Mamedu also raised concerns over petroleum supply and pricing, stating that continued reliance on imported petroleum products at high costs disadvantages ordinary Nigerians, particularly the poor and vulnerable. He called for urgent government investment in functional refineries, the establishment of more local refineries, and policies that ensure fair pricing, promote local production, and prevent monopolistic practices.
He warned that a culture of impunity reinforces the perception of public office as an avenue for wealth accumulation rather than selfless service, undermining trust in democratic institutions and the rule of law.
ActionAid Nigeria consequently called for far-reaching reforms, demanding that Mr. Ahmed respond promptly to the allegations, that public asset declarations be strengthened and made accessible for citizen scrutiny, and that the EFCC and ICPC expand investigations into officials living beyond their means. The organisation also urged the National Assembly to promote greater transparency in public procurement, budget implementation, and revenue management.
It further appealed to the Federal Government to move beyond rhetoric in tackling corruption, ensure functional local refineries, guarantee fair and affordable petroleum pricing, and improve resource management. Citizens were also urged to actively monitor public resources, report corruption, and demand accountability in order to safeguard the national interest.
