Namibia’s honorary consul in Nigeria, Justin Chuma Anosike, has denied allegations that he sought a $1 million fee from Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, to arrange a meeting with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

Anosike said Dangote requested his assistance in arranging the July 2025 meeting and that he did not seek an introduction or facilitation fee before or during the visit. He said he later submitted a strategic advisory proposal at Dangote’s request, but no payment was made.

Anosike also denied obtaining or leaking confidential Namibian government documents to Dangote Group executives. The allegations come as Dangote explores a major investment in Namibia involving a tank farm and related infrastructure at Walvis Bay.

Anosike denies $1 million fee

Justin Chuma Anosike said he facilitated Aliko Dangote’s meeting with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in July 2025 and attended part of the discussions at State House. He later accompanied Dangote to Walvis Bay to inspect port facilities.

Anosike denied requesting payment for arranging the meeting. He said he later submitted a Strategic Advisory Agreement proposal at Dangote’s request for services related to the proposed investment, separate from the presidential meeting. Dangote did not respond, and no payment was made, he said. Anosike described subsequent claims about the proposal as false.

Namibia official denies document leak

National Planning Commission Director-General Kaire Mbuende denied providing Anosike with confidential Cabinet minutes or strategic documents concerning Dangote’s investment.

Mbuende said he first met Anosike at State House during Dangote’s meeting with Nandi-Ndaitwah. Their subsequent discussions focused on attracting foreign direct investment and identifying strategic investors, not sharing confidential information.

Mbuende said Anosike had previously introduced potential investors, including US-based ones, but those efforts did not result in completed investments.

Dangote Namibia project advances

Dangote’s proposed investment includes a tank farm and pipeline at Walvis Bay to supply petroleum products to neighbouring countries.

Mbuende said Cabinet has supported the project and tasked government agencies with facilitating it. Discussions cover land, import duties, visas and jetty access, involving Namport and several ministries.

Namport initially allocated land for the tank farm, but negotiations stalled, prompting Dangote Group to seek alternative land through the Walvis Bay municipality. The jetty issue was referred to an inter-ministerial committee.

Anosike denies leaking documents

Anosike denied obtaining or leaking confidential government documents to Dangote Group. He said his dealings with Mbuende were conducted as Namibia’s honorary consul in Nigeria and focused on attracting investment. Anosike said no Namibian authority had questioned him over the allegations and described them as false. He said he has served as honorary consul for more than a decade.

The Windhoek Observer sought comment from Dangote representative Ipupa Fadeyi but had not published a response at the time of reporting.

The competing claims remain unresolved as Dangote’s proposed Walvis Bay investment progresses through Namibia’s regulatory process.