Nigeria today stands at a critical juncture, where attracting investment, creating jobs, and building national pride are essential to our collective progress. Yet, in the face of this urgent need for growth, some elements seem determined to sabotage the nation’s forward march. In recent weeks, a shadowy group calling itself Odudua Transparency Network has unleashed a vicious campaign of lies against MSM Group—one of Africa’s most trusted, visionary, and globally respected conglomerates.
The falsehoods they have circulated are not mere gossip; they are calculated weapons aimed at destroying reputations, derailing billion-dollar investments, and denying Nigerians the opportunities they deserve. These claims are not supported by a single verifiable fact, yet they have been pushed into the public space with reckless abandon, clearly intended to incite public hatred and ridicule against a company that has spent years building trust, credibility, and partnerships across the globe.
The timing of this smear campaign speaks volumes. Only recently, MSM Group signed $2.4 billion agreement with the Kebbi State Government to construct three-million-ton-per-annum cement plant. This project is set to create an estimated 45,000 direct and indirect jobs, transform Kebbi State into an industrial powerhouse, and stimulate economic activity across multiple sectors. For a group of faceless detractors to target this project is to wage war against the economic future of Kebbi State and Nigeria as a whole.
MSM Group’s influence and achievements stretch far beyond a single project. With diversified operations in Oil and Gas, Fertilizers, Shipping, Agriculture, FinTech, Automobile Manufacturing, Energy, and E-Governance, the Group is deeply embedded in the infrastructure of Nigeria’s growth. Its ventures deliver direct benefits to Federal and State Governments, support local communities, and open doors for global partnerships that inject foreign direct investment into the country.
The story of MSM Group’s rise is also the story of its founder and chairman, Muazzam Mairawani. A young leader of unshakable integrity, Muazzam began his entrepreneurial journey in 2011, tackling the crisis of substandard fertilizer supplies to industrial farms by sourcing and delivering premium-quality products. His foresight later saw him franchising Tangaza mobile pay during Nigeria’s transition to a cashless economy—a move that expanded financial inclusion and demonstrated his knack for innovation at the right time.
Muazzam is not only a businessman but a strategic thinker, armed with a BSc in Business Information Systems from the University of Middlesex, London, and advanced computing qualifications from Informatics Academy, Singapore. His leadership philosophy is summed up in two guiding principles: “Once greedy, forever a loser” and “For every successful business, there must be great partners.” These are not slogans but living values, evident in the way he consistently builds strong teams, fosters partnerships, and executes projects that change lives.
Under his leadership, MSM Group has cultivated a global reputation for ethical business practices, resilience, and sustainability. His partnerships span across Africa and beyond, drawing on his deep economic networks to foster mutual growth. Yet, Muazzam remains a discreet philanthropist, known for extending a hand to those in need without seeking publicity or applause.
His impact has not gone unnoticed internationally. The United Nations International Peace and Governance Council recently honored him with the SDGs Peace Ambassador’s Award, recognising his dedication to sustainable development, peace-building, and governance in Africa. Such recognition underlines the absurdity of the Odudua Transparency Network’s allegations—falsehoods so detached from reality that they collapse under the weight of evidence.
The real question Nigerians should be asking is: who benefits from trying to destroy MSM Group’s credibility at a time when it is bringing transformative projects and massive investments into the country? The answer is simple—those who fear progress, those who thrive on chaos, and those whose only currency is misinformation.
Smear campaigns like this do more than damage reputations; they scare away investors, kill job opportunities, and tarnish Nigeria’s image on the global stage. They are acts of economic sabotage dressed up as “transparency.” For the record, transparency requires facts, evidence, and accountability—none of which Odudua Transparency Network has provided.
It is high time Nigerians saw through such charades. We cannot allow faceless, unverified voices to drown out the achievements of those working tirelessly to place our nation on the path of sustainable growth. Muazzam Mairawani and MSM Group have proven, through action and results, that African entrepreneurs can build world-class enterprises rooted in integrity, innovation, and societal progress.
In the face of unfounded attacks, the truth will always prevail. And the truth here is clear: MSM Group is not the villain—it is the vanguard of economic transformation. Nigerians who care about jobs, development, and the nation’s global reputation should stand firmly behind young leaders like Muazzam, and reject the lies of those who seek to pull the country backwards.
The question remains—who is really afraid of MSM Group?
