Hackers have gained access to the phones of Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola, raising fresh worries about the surge of high-profile cyberattacks targeting influential Nigerians. The breach, which came with financial demands, has caused serious concern within the business circle.
Sources close to both men revealed that their devices were compromised within the last week. While Femi Otedola’s phone was infiltrated once, Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest man reportedly had his phone hacked twice in only two days.
It is still not confirmed if the two have fully recovered control of their devices, but insiders say the attackers quickly swung into action. According to one source, the hackers contacted both businessmen directly and demanded money.
Dangote and Otedola have maintained a close friendship for many years, often describing their bond as brotherly. Not long ago, Otedola attended Dangote’s announcement to boost the Dangote Refinery’s capacity from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day.
At the event, Otedola hailed Dangote as “Africa’s pride” and praised his long-term investments, saying they would shape the continent’s development. He also noted that Nigerians would soon own part of the refinery, calling the project a legacy for future generations.Otedola, author of the bestselling Making It Big, further increased his stake in First HoldCo Plc a few weeks earlier by purchasing more than 64 million shares worth over N2 billion — strengthening his influence in Nigeria’s financial sector.The hacking incident has renewed conversations about digital safety among Nigeria’s business leaders, especially as the country continues to witness a rise in sophisticated cyberattacks
