In a dramatic escalation of what has become one of Nigeria’s most closely watched corporate responsibility cases, Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, professionally known as Phyna, has publicly accused the Dangote Group of failing to honor its commitment to provide life-saving medical treatment for her sister Ruth.
The controversy stems from a devastating accident that occurred on August 13, 2025, near Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State, where Ruth Otabor was struck by a Dangote truck allegedly operated by an underage, unlicensed driver. The timing of the accident was particularly tragic, coming just six days after Ruth graduated from the polytechnic.
The accident’s severity cannot be overstated. Ruth’s left leg was amputated as a direct result of her injuries, while medical professionals have warned that her right leg remains at significant risk. The young graduate’s promising future was shattered in an instant by what appears to have been a preventable tragedy.
Initially, there were signs that the Dangote Group was prepared to take full responsibility for the incident. The company confirmed in a statement on Thursday through its X account that its truck was indeed involved in knocking down Ruth Otabor, amid mounting public pressure calling for justice.
However, according to Phyna’s latest revelations, what appeared to be corporate accountability has devolved into bureaucratic delays and broken promises. In a series of emotional social media updates on Wednesday, the reality TV star detailed a frustrating pattern of commitments made and subsequently withdrawn.
The sequence of events, as described by Phyna, reveals a troubling corporate response. After initial negotiations, Dangote Group reportedly agreed to her request for Ruth to be flown to India for advanced medical treatment that could potentially save her remaining leg. This commitment represented hope for a family devastated by the accident.
Ruth was subsequently transferred to Lagos’s Lagoon Hospital, where Phyna was requested to provide comprehensive medical documentation. Acting swiftly, she submitted the required detailed medical report, expecting the promised overseas treatment to proceed without further delay.
Instead, according to Phyna’s account, Dangote Group officials began backtracking on their commitments. The company allegedly informed her that they would need to seek additional medical advice before making any final decisions about funding Ruth’s treatment abroad.
The situation deteriorated further when company representatives demanded yet another report from Lagoon Hospital, this time requiring official confirmation that Ruth’s complex medical case could not be adequately managed within Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Perhaps most concerning for the family is Phyna’s revelation that the Dangote official she had been communicating with has now gone completely silent, ignoring her messages for more than 24 hours. This sudden communication breakdown has raised serious questions about the company’s genuine commitment to helping Ruth recover.
“My sister’s life must not be put at risk. She needs urgent care, and it’s beyond what local hospitals can handle. Dangote must keep to their word,” Phyna stated in her lengthy Instagram post, her frustration and desperation evident in every word.
The reality TV winner has now made a direct appeal to Aliko Dangote himself, calling on Africa’s richest man to personally intervene in what has become a matter of life and death for her sister. This public plea represents a significant escalation in pressure on the corporate giant.
The case has broader implications beyond one family’s tragedy. It highlights critical questions about corporate responsibility when company vehicles are involved in serious accidents, particularly those allegedly caused by underage, unlicensed drivers operating commercial vehicles.
Public sentiment has largely rallied behind Phyna and her family, with many Nigerians expressing outrage over both the initial accident and the apparent corporate foot-dragging on medical treatment. The case has become a test of whether one of Africa’s most prominent business empires will fully stand behind its commitments when faced with a genuine crisis.
As Ruth’s medical condition remains precarious, time is of the essence. The delay in securing advanced medical treatment could have irreversible consequences for the young graduate’s remaining leg and overall quality of life.
The Dangote Group’s response to these latest accusations will likely determine not only Ruth’s medical future but also the company’s reputation for corporate social responsibility in Nigeria’s increasingly scrutinized business environment.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Big Brother Naija winner Phyna’s sister Ruth lost her left leg after being hit by a Dangote truck driven by an allegedly underage, unlicensed driver on August 13, 2025.
While Dangote Group initially promised to fly Ruth to India for life-saving treatment to save her remaining leg, the company has now gone silent and appears to be backing out of its commitment through bureaucratic delays.
Phyna is publicly calling on Aliko Dangote to personally intervene as her sister’s condition deteriorates and time runs out for proper medical care.
