The Dangote Group has denied any rift with billionaire businessman Tony Elumelu, warning content creators, organisations, and digital platforms against the spread of misinformation and AI-generated advertisements using its brand and leadership.
The warning was conveyed in a statement by Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer at Dangote Industries Limited, following a viral post on X alleging that Aliko Dangote sought financial assistance from business associates to complete his refinery project.
... claimed that Dangote approached prominent figures, including Tony Elumelu, Mike Adenuga, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Femi Otedola, alleging that Elumelu promised $20 million but later cut off communication.
It further alleged that the others raised $500 million, with Otedola contributing $300 million.
What Dangote is saying
The Group dismissed the claims as false and misleading, stressing that neither Dangote nor the company made such statements.
The company reiterated that such claims are baseless and intended to misinform the public.
This is part of a growing trend of misinformation involving high-profile individuals.
In February, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala warned against a fake AI-generated video falsely portraying her.
She clarified that she does not operate accounts on Instagram, Facebook, or WhatsApp, describing any such content as fraudulent.
Zenith Bank Plc also recently distanced itself from a doctored video falsely showing Jim Ovia endorsing a fraudulent investment scheme.
These incidents highlight the rising misuse of AI and digital platforms to spread false information.
The Dangote Group expressed concern over the increasing use of AI to create misleading content using the image and likeness of its leadership.
The company warned that such actions could cause reputational damage and facilitate fraud, stressing that individuals and platforms involved must immediately desist from creating or sharing such content.
The Group added that it is prepared to take legal action to protect its reputation and leadership.
Despite the controversy, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc reported a strong financial rebound in its Q1 2026 results.
The results signal a turnaround driven by improved cost efficiency despite softer revenue performance.