The graphic designer for Dangote Group, the conglomerate owned by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, is currently in the hot seat. This follows the release of a birthday poster intended to celebrate Dangote’s 68th birthday — but the design has triggered more confusion than celebration.
According to sharp-eyed users on X (formerly Twitter), the poster did not look polished to the status of Dangote empire, and many claimed it gave them a scare, saying it resembled an obituary.
In the comments section of the post, some users asked the designer to upgrade their design skills to match current trends. Others even went as far as designing alternatives and calling for the person managing the X profile to make a switch.
Social media reacts
Here are some of the reactions sampled by Bizna Kenya:
@Mayordavid_9 – I thought it was an obituary poster.
@ambalium – Pay your graphics team to unlearn and relearn design concepts. Or just sack them all and employ confam professional graphics designers, I can recommend 3 right now sharp sharp. This should not even scale approval in a big company like Dangote. Happy birthday Alhaji Dangote
@okeyjames – Why was this designed like an obituary?
@KilobyteGraphix – Can I make a better design?
@itsdshow – This artwork is so poor. Those people who passed this for posting to the public deserve to be queried. At first glance, if you don’t read the content, you will assume otherwise with the design interface which connotes something I don’t want to mention. You can do better.
@Iremidexx – Exactly.. I thought it was obituary. Very poor a whole Dangote PLC pushing out this graphic out.. PRO or social media team needs to do better.
@gbengadada15 – Happy birthday @AlikoDangote, a business magnate, the Dangote of Africa, and the greatest industrialist Nigeria has ever had. More fruitful years sir. And more industries to create. Please, consider the electricity, steel and semiconductor industries.
@Ade_Mola_KS – Happy birthday to Aliko Dangote, He won’t fall, ameen. Abeg, change your graphics designer, it is giving “exiting to glory” vibes.
@Oliii_baby – Anyway my brother is a graphic designer and I know that he can deliver an excellent job. Far better than this one.
KCB customers to enjoy cheaper loans as lender cuts interest ratesDangote’s wealth revealed
In a separate report, Bizna Kenya noted that Dangote had, for the 14th time, been ranked as the richest man in Africa, according to the latest wealth report published by Forbes.
Dangote, who has made major investments in the oil and cement industries, saw his net worth soar to a staggering KSh 3.9 trillion, nearly matching Kenya’s 2025/2026 national budget, which is projected at KSh 4.2 trillion.
His fortune grew by 72%, rising from KSh 1.8 trillion in 2024. This dramatic increase has been largely attributed to the launch of his new oil refinery in mid-2024, which now significantly contributes to Nigeria’s oil exports.
Coming in second on the list is Johann Rupert from South Africa, whose wealth stems from the fashion and retail industries. South Africa had the highest number of billionaires on the list — seven — including Nicky Oppenheimer & family, Koos Bekker, Patrice Motsepe, Michiel Le Roux, and Jannie Mouton & family.
Nigeria followed closely with four billionaires: Mike Adenuga, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Femi Otedola, and Dangote himself.
Closer to home, Tanzanian tycoon Mohammed Dewji was the only East African on the list, with a net worth of KSh 284.31 billion.
