LAGOS — The Dangote Group has officially moved to quell a rising wave of misinformation, debunking a viral social media post that alleged the Federal Government collects a staggering 52% tax on every bag of cement produced in Nigeria.
The conglomerate, in a swift public disclaimer, labeled the claims as “fake news,” distancing its Chairman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, from comments suggesting that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration was responsible for the high cost of the essential building material through excessive taxation.
The controversy erupted earlier this week when a post by a Facebook user, identified as Idenyi Tijani Julius, began circulating across multiple platforms including WhatsApp and X (formerly Twitter). The post, which was falsely attributed to Aliko Dangote, claimed that the government “takes 52 kobo from every ₦1” earned on cement sales.
The viral message further alleged that the government pockets ₦6,240 from every bag of cement sold, questioning why the administration continued to seek external loans despite such purported massive internal revenue.
Responding to the development, the Dangote Group utilized its official social media handles to share a screenshot of the offending post, emblazoned with a bold “FAKE” stamp.
”We wish to clarify that the statement circulating on social media regarding government taxation on cement is false and did not originate from Aliko Dangote or the Dangote Group,” a company representative stated. “It is a malicious attempt to spread misinformation and incite public outcry.”
The viral claim gained rapid traction due to the sensitive nature of construction costs in Nigeria. Over the past year, the price of cement has seen significant fluctuations, leading to high-level meetings between the Federal Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and major manufacturers like Dangote, BUA, and Lafarge.
Economic analysts point out that while the manufacturing sector faces challenges—including foreign exchange volatility and energy costs—the claim of a 52% direct tax on a single bag of cement is mathematically inconsistent with current Nigerian tax laws, which include Value Added Tax (VAT) at 7.5% and corporate income taxes.
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Tackling Digital Misinformation
The Dangote Group’s proactive rebuttal underscores the growing challenge of “deep-fake” quotes and misattributed statements involving prominent business leaders. Industry experts warn that such misinformation can have real-world consequences, potentially affecting stock prices and investor confidence.
Authorities have urged social media users to verify sensitive economic information through official government or corporate channels before sharing, as the nation navigates complex fiscal reforms.