Obi urges accountability after $5m school fee scandal
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has responded to the controversy involving ex-NMDPRA boss Farouk Ahmed, who allegedly spent $5 million on his children's education abroad. The incident, highlighted by Aliko Dangote, has sparked debates about ethics and public trust in Nigeria. Obi emphasized that such spending is especially troubling in a nation with over 18 million out-of-school children. He called for responsible use of public resources and stressed the potential impact of investing locally in education.
What we know
- Peter Obi criticized the alleged $5 million (about ₦7.5 billion) spent by Farouk Ahmed on his children's schooling in Switzerland.
- Aliko Dangote publicly called for an investigation, citing concerns over transparency and integrity in public office.
- The controversy led to Farouk Ahmed's resignation as NMDPRA chief after sustained public scrutiny.
- Obi argued that such funds could build 25 school blocks in Nigeria, educating 6,000 students and employing 450 teachers annually.
- He urged that investing in local education would help address Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis and create lasting national benefits.
