Nigerian tycoon Tony Elumelu has shown interest in acquiring a club in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) after talks with the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh.
The 61-year-old economist and philanthropist, who chairs Heirs Holdings, Transcorp, and United Bank for Africa (UBA), hinted at this possibility during discussions on private ownership of clubs in Nigeria.
Responding to a proposal by a X user @LawyerDay suggesting that major corporations in Nigeria should purchase league clubs as part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Elumelu reacted positively.
He revealed that he, along with other notable figures in the country, has been approached by the minister to assess the feasibility of such acquisitions in order to enhance the league’s development.
@lawyerday said “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, and Geregu takes over 3SC. Imagine the competition?”
Tony Elumelu responded to the suggestion by saying; “This is a nice idea,” accompanied by a thumbs-up emoji, and added, “The Sports Minister, Senator John Enoh @OwanEnoh, is already thinking along this line and has approached me, and we are already evaluating viability.”
