Dangote Denies Rift With Tony Elumelu, Threatens Legal Action Over Viral Claims

Dangote Denies Rift With Tony Elumelu, Threatens Legal Action Over Viral Claims

The Dangote Group has strongly denied reports alleging a fallout between its founder, Aliko Dangote, and the Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu, describing the claims as false, malicious, and misleading.

The controversy began after a viral post on X (formerly Twitter) claimed that Dangote spoke about financial difficulties during the construction of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in 2021. The post alleged that the project faced funding challenges and that Dangote sought financial assistance from several Nigerian billionaires, including Femi Otedola, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Mike Adenuga, and Tony Elumelu.

The same post further alleged that Elumelu had reportedly promised a $20 million contribution but later stopped communication, while other unnamed business figures were said to have supported the refinery project with large sums. However, no evidence was provided to back up these claims.

Responding to the viral publication, the Dangote Group issued a firm denial through its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, stating that neither Aliko Dangote nor the company made such statements or comments.

The company stressed that the allegations were entirely fabricated and misrepresented the financing structure of the refinery project, insisting that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals was not funded through personal borrowing from friends or associates.

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The statement also addressed claims suggesting any disagreement between Aliko Dangote and Tony Elumelu, dismissing them as completely false and reaffirming that both business leaders maintain a longstanding and cordial relationship built over years of professional respect and collaboration.

The Dangote Group further warned that it is considering legal action against individuals, bloggers, and platforms responsible for creating and spreading the false narrative. It also raised concerns over a growing trend of misinformation involving AI-generated and manipulated content attributed to high-profile personalities.

According to the company, such actions not only damage reputations but could also amount to fraud and intentional misinformation. It urged all individuals and media platforms involved in circulating the claims to desist immediately.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, located in Lagos, remains Africa’s largest single-train refinery and one of the continent’s most significant private-sector investments, expected to play a key role in Nigeria’s energy security and fuel supply chain.

Both Aliko Dangote and Tony Elumelu continue to be regarded as two of Africa’s most influential business figures, with investments spanning banking, energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure across multiple countries.

The latest denial adds to growing concerns about the spread of fake news and AI-generated misinformation targeting prominent individuals in Nigeria’s business and political space.

Dangote Denies Rift With Tony Elumelu, Threatens Legal Action Over Viral Claims