Nigerian media personality and reality TV star, Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has openly accused the Dangote Group of negligence and irresponsibility in handling matters relating to the death of her sister.
In a lengthy post shared on her Instagram page, Phyna expressed deep grief over the tragic loss, alleging that her sister’s death was not only avoidable but “calculated and planned.” She accused the company of failing to fulfill its promises to her family after her sister was killed in an accident involving one of its trucks.
According to Phyna, although the Dangote Group had publicly claimed that it covered all medical expenses, the reality was far from that. She explained that the company only settled bills incurred at Lagoon Hospital in Lagos, leaving the family to bear the heavy financial burden of other medical expenses.
The bills from Auchi down to Irrua were covered by the family; no refund has been made. Also on September 13th, the day of burial, Dangote Group did not pick up any of the calls made to them. We were told the bills were not paid, even though they claim otherwise. The mortuary expenses were also fully covered by the family. In the midst of all our troubles, Dangote Group told the public that they had cleared all hospital bills. The only bill they paid was for Lagoon Hospital,” Phyna wrote.
She went on to criticize the company for abandoning her family during their time of grief. The reality star accused Dangote Group of attempting to cover up the truth by issuing misleading public statements, which, in her words, “added salt to an already painful wound.”
Phyna further alleged that the company’s actions suggested a lack of empathy, accountability, and transparency in addressing the tragedy. She argued that her sister’s death and the subsequent handling of the case highlighted a disturbing pattern of how powerful corporations sometimes treat ordinary citizens with disregard.
The outcry has since drawn mixed reactions online, with many sympathizers expressing support for Phyna while demanding that Dangote Group respond to the allegations. Civil society advocates have also weighed in, stressing that corporate organizations must be held accountable for the actions of their staff and vehicles, particularly in cases involving loss of life.
While the Dangote Group has yet to issue a fresh statement in response to Phyna’s accusations, her call-out has reignited conversations about corporate responsibility, compensation for victims of road accidents, and the accountability of large companies in Nigeria.
For Phyna, however, the matter is deeply personal. She described her sister’s death as a wound that will never heal and vowed to continue speaking out until justice is served and her family is treated fairly.