Phyna Blasts Dangote Group Over False Claims on Ruth’s Medical Treatment: “Do Not Claim What You Did Not Do”

The entertainment industry and corporate Nigeria have been thrown into a heated controversy as Big Brother Naija star, Phyna, has openly challenged the Dangote Group over what she described as a misleading and opportunistic narrative surrounding the health condition of Ruth, a patient whose medical struggles recently gained public attention. In a strongly worded statement shared via her official platform, Phyna firmly countered the corporate giant’s claims that it had paid Ruth’s hospital bills in full and had even made arrangements to take her abroad for further treatment, particularly to India. According to the reality TV star, the Dangote Group’s account of its involvement was not only exaggerated but entirely false beyond the limited role it initially played.

The matter began when news outlets circulated a statement attributed to the Dangote Group, suggesting that the conglomerate had stepped in extensively to cover Ruth’s medical bills while also making preparations to facilitate her transfer overseas for advanced medical attention. This version of events, however, did not sit well with Phyna, who swiftly issued her rebuttal, insisting that the facts had been twisted for image enhancement. She described the corporate narrative as an attempt at “image laundering” at the expense of Ruth’s dignity, adding that no tangible plans were ever in place to ensure Ruth received treatment abroad.

Phyna stated categorically that the only financial contribution made by the Dangote Group was at Lagoon Hospital, Lagos, and nothing beyond that. “The only bill they covered was at Lagoon Hospital. There were no real plans to take Ruth abroad for treatment. Anything beyond these facts is a fabrication,” she wrote. She further challenged the Dangote Group to provide documented evidence of any communication regarding international treatment, pointing out that no such records exist because no such arrangements were ever made. To her, the silence on this point was proof enough that the conglomerate’s supposed good deeds had been exaggerated for public sympathy and goodwill.

The BBNaija star, whose boldness and bluntness have earned her both admirers and critics in equal measure, did not mince words in accusing the company of using Ruth’s health crisis as a public relations strategy. “This is not a misunderstanding. This is a false public narrative being pushed to score goodwill off someone’s suffering. I will not allow Ruth’s condition to be used for image laundering. If the Dangote Group genuinely intended to help, there would be actions, not press statements,” she declared. Her words have since gone viral, sparking intense debate across social media platforms and drawing attention to the often-murky intersections between philanthropy, corporate reputation management, and the harsh realities of individuals battling health crises in Nigeria.

For Phyna, the issue is not merely about setting the record straight but also about demanding accountability and truth in how stories of vulnerable individuals are told and amplified. She warned that unless the misinformation was corrected, she would consider taking further steps to protect Ruth’s dignity and ensure accountability, a signal that legal or public advocacy actions might be in the pipeline. Her warning carried weight, reflecting her resolve not to allow the matter to be swept under the rug as another fleeting controversy.

The situation has naturally triggered a storm of reactions among Nigerians, many of whom are divided on the matter. While some commentators praised Phyna for her courage in confronting a powerful corporate entity and standing up for the truth, others questioned her motives, suggesting that her approach could have been more diplomatic. Yet, a sizable portion of the public seemed to resonate with her core message that human suffering should never be turned into a publicity stunt. The comment sections across Instagram, Twitter (X), and Facebook have since become battlefields of opinion, with hashtags relating to Ruth, Phyna, and Dangote Group trending at different intervals.

Observers of Nigerian society point out that this clash underscores a broader pattern where corporate giants, political figures, and celebrities sometimes amplify or exaggerate their acts of benevolence to curry public favor, even when the reality on ground tells a different story. For many Nigerians, particularly those who have struggled with the country’s weak healthcare system, Phyna’s words hit close to home because they expose a deeper frustration: the way public figures and corporations sometimes exploit illness, poverty, or tragedy for positive optics without delivering long-term, meaningful support.

Interestingly, Phyna also noted that she had been away for a month mourning her sister, and only upon her return did she encounter what she described as the heartbreaking discovery of the Dangote Group’s misleading claims. Her personal grief appeared to fuel the passion with which she spoke, making her statement all the more poignant. Her use of emphatic capitalization in her post—“THEIR STATEMENT IS FALSE AND MISLEADING”—echoed the tone of someone unwilling to let sentimentality override facts.

At press time, the Dangote Group had not issued a direct rebuttal to Phyna’s accusations, and this silence is being interpreted in multiple ways. Some believe the conglomerate may be weighing its options carefully before making any further public comments, while others suspect the company might choose to avoid escalation altogether. Either way, the absence of an immediate clarification has left room for speculation, with Phyna’s narrative dominating the discourse.

The saga raises important questions for Nigeria’s corporate and entertainment sectors alike. Should corporations be more careful in how they present their charitable activities, ensuring that they do not embellish the truth for PR gains? Should celebrities and influencers who often serve as voices for the vulnerable exercise more caution in how they call out these entities, striking a balance between transparency and diplomacy? And most importantly, where does this leave the individuals at the center of such storms—like Ruth—whose pain becomes a chessboard for competing interests?

For now, Phyna has made it clear that she will not relent in her quest for truth, justice, and dignity for Ruth. Her statement concludes with the words: “Do not claim what you did not do. Human life is not a PR strategy.” This sharp closing line has since been quoted and reposted by fans and activists alike, becoming a rallying cry for authenticity in charitable acts. Whether the Dangote Group responds with proof, silence, or a conciliatory statement remains to be seen, but what is certain is that this controversy has placed corporate accountability and the ethics of public relations in the spotlight once again.

In the days ahead, Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether this episode fades into obscurity or sparks broader conversations about the sincerity of philanthropic gestures in the country. For Phyna, however, the fight seems deeply personal, rooted in both her desire to defend Ruth’s dignity and her refusal to let powerful institutions rewrite a narrative for their own benefit. And in a society where truth is often contested, her bold stand has carved out a moment that forces everyone—ordinary citizens and billion-dollar corporations alike—to confront the simple but profound demand: do not claim what you did not do.