Foremost philanthropist and Nigeria’s billionaire, Tony Elumelu has today confirmed his interest in acquiring a club in the Nigeria top-flight league NPFL as he reveals that he is in discussion with the sports minister, Senator John Owan Enoh.
The United Bank of Africa (UBA) CEO disclosed that he alongside some other top personalities in the country has been contacted by the minister as they are currently evaluating the viability of acquisition in bid to further develop the league and also as a form of CSR.
In response to a string of discussion concerning private ownership of clubs in Nigeria on X with one user asking;
Can we get the President and Ministry of Sport to weigh in on the big corporations in Nigeria to buy at least one league club as part of CSR? Imagine dangote buys Kano pillars, BUA buys Kwara United, Elumelu acquires rivers United, Geregu takes over 3SC. Imagine the competition?
He quoted the user with a nice idea response accompanied by a thumb up emoji although he’s yet to confirm any concrete decision aside the fact that there are discussions ongoing.
In the past, we have seen clubs owned by private individuals including Ifeanyi Uba who played continental football, Abiola Babes, Vandrezzer Football Club, MFM FC along with a host of other clubs who have disbanded, hopefully with this confirmation, we will be looking at a business aspect of football in Nigeria which will be able to compete at the highest global level.
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