Video: VeryDarkMan threatens MTN over Dangote IPO advert, calls share offer “Ponzi Scheme”
VDM
Abdullateef Fowewe
Self-proclaimed social media police, Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, has threatened to sue MTN Nigeria after receiving an unsolicited promotional message for the Dangote Refinery Initial Public Offering (IPO) on his private, NIN-linked phone number.
In a video posted on Tuesday, VeryDarkMan said he did not consent to his number being used for third-party commercial campaigns and demanded a detailed explanation from the telecoms giant.
“@mtnng, my lawyers will be sending a letter to your office. I will want a well detailed explanation as to why my private number was used for Dangote IPO advert without my consent,” he said.
He added, “My number which is linked to my NIN was used without my consent and I will not take this likely, if your explanation don’t make sense to me we will meet in court.”
The activist said the message he received read, “Own a piece of Dangote Petroleum Refinery. IPO open soon. Invest from 5,250 for 10 shares. Click here,” along with a link.
His complaint raises fresh questions about how telecom operators and marketers use customer data, particularly numbers tied to the National Identification Number (NIN), for promotional campaigns.
Beyond the data privacy angle, VeryDarkMan also criticised the Dangote Refinery IPO itself, describing it in stark terms and challenging billionaire Aliko Dangote on the cost of essential goods.
“The whole Dangote IPO thing looks like a Ponzi scheme to me,” he said.
He argued, “If Aliko Dangote cares about Nigerians to the point where he wants to sell shares of his refinery for as low as 5000 naira plus, then he should just bring down the price of cement, petroleum products, rice, sugar, if the price crash of these will make life easier for everyone.”
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE launched its public offer on Monday, September 14, 2026, at the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), offering 4.1 billion ordinary shares at ₦525 each, Dailyeconomy reports.
