Justin Chuma Anosike, Namibia’s Honorary Consul in Nigeria, has denied allegations that he demanded a $1 million fee from billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote for arranging a meeting with Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Anosike said he did not request any introduction or facilitation fee before or during Dangote’s visit to the Namibian president in July 2025. He explained that Dangote had personally asked him to facilitate the meeting.
According to the consul, he attended parts of the discussions at State House and later accompanied Dangote to Walvis Bay, where the businessman inspected facilities linked to his proposed investment.
Anosike, however, acknowledged that he later submitted a Strategic Advisory Agreement proposal to Dangote. He said the proposal was made at the businessman’s request and covered specific advisory services related to the proposed project, rather than payment for arranging the presidential meeting.
He said Dangote never responded to the proposal and instead circulated it alongside what he described as a false account of the matter. Anosike also confirmed that he never received any payment from Dangote.
The controversy has also involved allegations that confidential Cabinet minutes and strategic documents concerning Dangote’s proposed investment in Namibia were leaked to Anosike and subsequently passed to a senior Dangote Group executive.
Director-General of Namibia’s National Planning Commission, Kaire Mbuende, rejected the allegation, insisting that he never provided Anosike with confidential documents relating to the project.
Mbuende said his dealings with Anosike were largely focused on attracting foreign direct investment and connecting potential investors with relevant government institutions. He said there was no confidential document relating to the Dangote project that was handed to the consul.
According to Mbuende, the proposed investment involves the construction of a tank farm in Walvis Bay, a pipeline and related infrastructure aimed at supplying oil to neighbouring countries.
He explained that the government had approved the project and was working with Dangote’s representatives to resolve issues involving land, import duties, visas, port access and other regulatory matters.
Mbuende said Anosike had previously introduced other potential investors to him, but maintained that their relationship had remained professional and focused on investment opportunities.
Anosike also categorically denied leaking any government documents to Dangote Group officials, saying he had not obtained any confidential material from the National Planning Commission.
He maintained that his interactions with Mbuende were conducted in his official capacity as Namibia’s Honorary Consul and centred on promoting investment opportunities in the country.
Describing the allegations as false and malicious, Anosike said he had served as honorary consul for more than a decade without any similar controversy.
The Dangote Group was contacted for its response to the allegations surrounding the proposed advisory agreement, the alleged $1 million payment and the purported document leak, but had not responded at the time of publication.
