A wave of anxiety has swept through Nigeria’s top business circles following reports that unknown hackers successfully breached the mobile phones of industrial giants Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola, making direct financial demands after gaining access.
Multiple insiders familiar with the situation reports that the two billionaire businessmen fell victim to coordinated cyber intrusions within the past week. Otedola, Chairman of FirstHoldCo Plc, reportedly experienced one major breach, while Dangote — Africa’s richest man — faced two separate compromises in less than 48 hours.
Details surrounding the scope of the attack remain murky, but sources confirm that the perpetrators wasted no time in contacting both men to request money.
“The hackers are asking for money from both men,” one source said, noting that it remains unclear whether any data was stolen or if security agencies have been briefed on the matter.
Both Dangote and Otedola — longtime friends who often publicly refer to each other as “brothers” — have yet to make any official comment. Their close relationship has spanned decades and frequently intersects at high-level business events.
Just recently, Otedola attended an engagement where Dangote announced his intention to boost the capacity of his massive refinery project from 650,000 barrels per day to an ambitious 1.4 million bpd. Praising the expansion plans, Otedola lauded Dangote as “Africa’s pride,” emphasizing that the refinery stands as a multigenerational investment for Nigeria.
“Aliko’s relentless commitment to investing in Nigeria and Africa will outlive him,” Otedola said at the event. “Soon, Nigerians will own part of this refinery — a powerful reminder that his vision goes beyond personal success and speaks to the collective future of the continent.”
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As tension mounts and questions linger about the sophistication of the cyberattacks, observers await clarity on whether the moguls have regained full control of their devices or engaged law enforcement. For now, the breaches underscore the growing threat of high-profile digital targeting in Nigeria’s corporate landscape.
