The Dangote Group has strongly denied viral claims suggesting a rift between its president, Aliko Dangote, and fellow businessman Tony Elumelu, describing the reports as false and misleading.
As reported by Nairametrics on Sunday, in a statement issued by its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, the company cautioned content creators, organisations, and digital platforms against spreading misinformation and AI-generated content using its brand and leadership.
The response followed a viral post on X, which alleged that Dangote sought financial assistance from prominent associates to complete the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The post claimed that Elumelu pledged $20m but later cut off communication, while other business figures, including Mike Adenuga, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Femi Otedola, reportedly contributed significant sums.
However, the Dangote Group dismissed the claims outright, insisting that neither Dangote nor the company made such statements.
“The Group categorically rejects claims that the development of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery was financed through personal borrowing from friends. These assertions are wholly inaccurate and constitute a deliberate misrepresentation of facts.
“As a matter of principle, Aliko Dangote neither finances his projects through personal borrowing from friends nor engages in lending arrangements of that nature. Any individual making such claims should provide verifiable evidence to substantiate them.
“Equally false are suggestions of any estrangement between Aliko Dangote and Mr Tony Elumelu, with whom he maintains a longstanding and cordial relationship,” the statement read.
It added that, as a matter of principle, Dangote does not fund projects through personal loans from friends and challenged anyone making such allegations to provide verifiable evidence.
The company also refuted suggestions of any fallout between Dangote and Elumelu, maintaining that both men share a longstanding and cordial relationship, and warning that the spread of unverified claims is intended to mislead the public.
