Tony Elumelu is reportedly considering the acquisition of a club in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
The 61-year-old Nigerian mogul, renowned for his astute business acumen and commitment to socio-economic development across Africa, has hinted at his interest in bolstering the domestic football scene during discussions with the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh.
Elumelu, who chairs notable entities like Heirs Holdings, Transcorp, and United Bank for Africa (UBA), expressed openness to the idea of private ownership of clubs in Nigeria, particularly as part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives proposed by stakeholders.
The notion of corporate entities investing in football clubs as a means of fostering development and promoting sports excellence has gained traction in recent years. A suggestion put forth by a user identified as LawyerDay on social media sparked dialogue on the topic, igniting Elumelu’s interest in exploring this avenue further.
Responding to LawyerDay’s proposal advocating for prominent corporations in Nigeria to acquire league clubs for CSR purposes, Elumelu affirmed the viability of such a venture.
He acknowledged having been approached by Minister Owan Enoh to evaluate the feasibility of such acquisitions, signaling a potential move towards club ownership.
“This is a nice idea,” remarked Elumelu, accompanied by a thumbs-up emoji, in response to the suggestion put forth. “The Sports Minister, Senator John Enoh, is already thinking along this line and has approached me, and we are already evaluating viability,” he added.
Should Elumelu proceed with acquiring a club in the NPFL, it could mark a significant turning point for the league, injecting fresh capital, expertise, and resources into Nigerian football.
His track record of success in various sectors, coupled with his commitment to driving positive change, positions him as a formidable force capable of elevating the profile of domestic football.
As one of the wealthiest individuals in Nigeria and Africa, with diverse investments spanning financial services, real estate, hospitality, healthcare, power, oil, and gas, Elumelu’s potential foray into club ownership holds promise not only for the NPFL but also for the broader sporting landscape in Nigeria.
