Dangote Group Shuts Down Viral Rumors of Rift with Tony Elumelu and Refinery Loan Claims.

The Dangote Group has firmly dismissed viral reports claiming there is bad blood between Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, and respected businessman Tony Elumelu, describing the stories as completely false and misleading.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday by the Group’s Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, the company warned content creators, media organisations, and social media platforms to stop spreading unverified claims and AI-generated misinformation involving its leadership and brand.

The denial was triggered by a widely circulated post on X (formerly Twitter) alleging that Dangote had reached out to several wealthy friends for financial help to complete the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. According to the viral claim, Tony Elumelu supposedly promised $20 million but later stopped responding, while other prominent businessmen like Mike Adenuga, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Femi Otedola allegedly contributed large sums.

Dangote Group rejected the story outright, insisting that neither Aliko Dangote nor the company ever made such requests or 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,” the statement said.

It added that, as a matter of principle, Aliko Dangote does not fund his projects through personal loans from friends and does not engage in such lending arrangements. The company challenged anyone spreading the claims to provide verifiable evidence.

On the alleged rift, the statement was equally clear:

“Equally false are suggestions of any estrangement between Aliko Dangote and Mr Tony Elumelu, with whom he maintains a longstanding and cordial relationship.”

The company emphasised that the two business leaders continue to enjoy a good relationship and warned that such unverified stories are designed to mislead the public.