Yemi Obafemi
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reacted to allegations that NMDPRA CEO Farouk Ahmed spent about $5 million on his children’s education abroad.
Obi said the controversy is not about education itself, describing education as “one of the greatest legacies a parent can give a child,” but stressed that the real concern lies in the scale, context, and moral consequences of such spending by a public official in a country battling extreme inequality.
The allegation was earlier raised by President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who called for a full investigation and public explanation, noting that the funds were reportedly expended by a serving government official.
In a statement shared on his X handle, Obi contextualised the figure, stating that $5 million is approximately ₦7.5 billion at current exchange rates, and questioned the moral implications in a country with over 18 million out-of-school children the highest number globally.
“With ₦7.5 billion, it would be possible to build 25 school blocks at ₦35 million per block, fully covering construction, furnishing, and basic learning infrastructure,” Obi stated, noting that the total capital expenditure would amount to ₦875 million.
He explained that each school block would contain six classrooms, with each classroom accommodating 40 students, adding that the amount allegedly spent on the education of four children could establish a self-sustaining education ecosystem capable of educating 6,000 Nigerian children annually and employing 450 teachers.
Obi further observed that Nigerian children educated abroad would benefit even more if those educated at home were given comparable standards of education to enable them work together upon their return.
“An educated society produces better governance, safer communities, stronger institutions, and a more dignified nation. It is a win-win,” he said.
Expanding the argument, Obi raised what he described as the larger national question, noting that Nigeria, with an estimated population of 240 million, likely has at least 2,400 individuals just 0.0001 per cent of the population who have access to extraordinary resources largely derived from public office.
He argued that if such individuals each committed $5 million to education, Nigeria could witness a transformative impact.
According to Obi, such contributions could result in the construction of 60,000 school blocks, education for 14.4 million students annually, and employment for over 1.08 million teachers, creating a nationwide, self-sustaining education system capable of virtually eliminating the out-of-school children crisis.
“Under such a scenario, Nigeria would no longer be debating access to education; the debate would have shifted to quality, innovation, and excellence,” he said.
“The Farouk controversy is not merely about one man. It is a mirror held up to our collective conscience, asking whether privilege will continue to coexist comfortably with abandonment, or whether responsibility will finally rise to meet opportunity,” Obi stated.
He ended by quoting the philosopher Plato, warning that “when education is neglected, the damage does not stop with children it spreads to everything else.”
