•Aliko Dangote
Football enthusiasts have taken to social media to urge the President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, to invest in the Nigeria Premier Football League.
This is against the backdrop of the billionaire business mogul regretting not buying the English Premier League giants, Arsenal, when his interest lies in owning a football club, reports The PUNCH.
In an interview with Bloomberg’s Francine Lacqua in New York, Dangote explained that he missed out on buying Arsenal when the club were valued at around $2bn but instead committed his resources to the refinery project in Nigeria.
The Kano-born had in 2020 made known his intention to buy the North London club after his refinery project but has now shelved his ambition to take over at Emirates Stadium.
When asked if he regretted not buying when Arsenal’s value was lower, he said, “Actually, I regret not buying it before, but you know my money was more needed in completing my project (Dangote Refinery) than buying Arsenal. I would have bought the club for $2bn, but you know I wouldn’t have been able to finish my project. So, it was either I finish my project or go and buy Arsenal.”
The viral video, which has attracted a litany of reactions from Nigerians, has seen football enthusiasts call on Dangote to consider investing his wealth in the development of the NPFL.
Owochejo Francis said, “Why can’t you establish a football club here in Nigeria to help create more job opportunities and further promote the local league? As the richest man in Africa, if you own a club here, other people will follow in your footsteps.”
Arong Usang added, “Buy our Nigerian teams and sponsor them. The salaries of English players are enough to run our league with ease. So act like Ifeanyi Ubah… It’s not only the English Premier League that plays football.”
Adeniyi Adeleke also suggested that Dangote should invest heavily by owning a stadium.
“Sir, why not invest in the Nigerian football league by having your team, stadium, and much other stuff?”
Adeiza Valentine simply wrote, “Kano Pillars are there; it is not too late to buy a football club.”
“He should buy one club in the Nigerian league and transform it into a bigger club that can compete in Africa,” Johnbosco Nazic suggested.
Sharing the same thought, Nze Chimereze said, “Spend that same money on Kano Pillars, Rangers of Enugu, and Kaduna Warriors. Those talented guys in Nigeria and Africa need opportunities to showcase their talent to the world also. You guys can’t keep running to the readymade, whereas you are blessed with more raw potential yet to explore.”
Kachi Phils added, “You are here looking for a foreign team to buy while local teams are doing well; just that they need financing and a little touch of polishing are here.”
Isa Oladele wants the 67-year-old to follow in the footsteps of the late Moshood Abiola by owning a club in the country.
“Why can’t he (Dangote) invest part of the money in our local club here? And challenge the local investors also to buy some of the clubs and improve our local league. I miss the late MKO.”
Aluko01 tweeted, “If you are so interested in football and you love Nigeria, please buy a club or have a club in the NPFL; it will boost the league.”
