- Billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote accused former governor of Ogun State Ibikunle Amosun of demolishing his Itori cement factory twice during his tenure
- Amosun’s media office responded, questioning approvals and suggesting possible violations of planning regulations
- Amosun’s team highlighted the industrial growth in Ogun during his tenure and challenged Dangote’s claims
Former governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, and Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, have been involved in a dispute over the demolition of a cement factory in Itori, with accusations and counterclaims surrounding the project’s approvals and regulatory compliance.
Dangote accused Amosun of demolishing the factory twice during his tenure as governor, which forced him to abandon the project until the current administration stepped in.
Dangote accuses Amosun of demolishing factory twice
The allegations were made during a meeting with Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun on March 17.
In a video from the meeting, Dangote said, “I deem it fit to have it on record that the factory we are visiting now in Itori, it’s because of His Excellency that we came back. That factory was demolished twice. We started building, then Amosun demolished it. The second time, we started again, he demolished not only the factory but also the fence; so we left. But right now, we’re coming back because of Dapo Abiodun.”
In response, Amosun’s media office dismissed Dangote’s allegations as “deliberate mischief.” A statement, signed by Lanre Akinwale, questioned whether the necessary approvals for the factory’s construction had been obtained and challenged Dangote to provide evidence of such approvals.
The statement read, “We assume that an average person understands how government functions through ministries, departments, and agencies, with each exercising mandates on specific responsibilities, including approvals for physical development. It is on this basis that we want to appeal to Alhaji Dangote to avail the public of the requisite approvals for the construction of the structures he alleged were demolished.”
Amosun dismisses allegations, questions legality of factory construction
Amosun’s camp suggested that Dangote may have violated planning regulations, emphasising that no one is above the law.
They also highlighted that Amosun’s administration had been instrumental in transforming Ogun State into Nigeria’s “industrial capital,” attracting significant foreign investment.
“It is also on record that during Senator Amosun’s administration, Ogun State became the ‘Industrial Capital’ of Nigeria. Our state at the time accounted for about 75 per cent of the Foreign Direct Investments, in relation to industry in the country,” the statement added.
While Amosun’s team refrained from further escalating the matter, they called on Dangote to provide proof of land acquisition and planning approvals. “Not all Nigerians can be compromised, bullied, or blackmailed,” Akinwale concluded.
Dangote Group's new facility set to boost Nigeria’s industrial growth
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Dangote Oil Refinery commenced polypropylene production at the Lagos facility with full-scale operations set to make Dangote the largest polypropylene producer in Africa.
According to the report, the refinery aimed to produce 77 types of polypropylene, boosting Nigeria's industrial sector.