3 Nigerians Who Own Football Clubs in Europe

In football, ownership plays a crucial role in shaping the destiny of clubs. Recently, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the President and Chief Executive of Dangote Group, expressed his regret for not purchasing Arsenal FC, one of the Premier League’s most renowned clubs. 

Dangote mentioned in an interview that the opportunity to buy Arsenal when it was valued at around $2 billion had passed, as he chose to invest his resources into his refinery project instead.

This reflects the growing interest among Nigerian entrepreneurs in owning football clubs, both in Europe and locally. Here are other prominent Nigerians who have made significant strides in European football club ownership.

Kunle Soname – Owner of C.D. Feirense, Portugal, and Remo Stars, Nigeria

Kunle Soname is a multifaceted individual known for his roles as a politician, entrepreneur, and sports enthusiast. He is the chairman of Bet9ja, a popular betting website he founded in 2013. Soname’s passion for football led him to expand his influence beyond Nigeria.

In 2015, Soname purchased C.D. Feirense, a football club based in Portugal. This acquisition marked a significant step in his journey as a football club owner in Europe. 

Under his ownership, C.D. Feirense has aimed to strengthen its position in Portuguese football, leveraging his business acumen to enhance the club’s operations and competitiveness.

Back in Nigeria, Soname founded Remo Stars Football Club in 2004, originally known as FC DENDER. He relocated the club from Lagos State to the Remo area of Ogun State, where it competes in the Nigerian Premier League’s Top Division. Additionally, Soname is the founder of ValueJet, a private Nigerian airline

Shola Akinlade – Aarhus Fremad, Denmark and Sporting Lagos FC, Nigeria

Shola Akinlade is best known as the co-founder and CEO of Paystack, a leading payment processing company that was acquired by Stripe. Beyond his achievements in the tech industry, Akinlade has made significant investments in football, demonstrating his passion for the sport.

Akinlade owns Aarhus Fremad, a Danish football club based in Aarhus, Denmark. In 2022, he acquired a 55 percent stake in the club, making him the majority owner. 

Aarhus Fremad, which competes in the second division of the Danish League, has been working towards securing promotion to the first division. Under Akinlade’s leadership, the club has focused on improving its financial stability and performance, aiming to climb higher in the league standings.

In the same year, Akinlade founded Sporting Lagos FC, a football club based in Lagos, Nigeria. This club competes in the Nigeria National League and serves as a sister club to Aarhus Fremad. 

The establishment of Sporting Lagos FC was a strategic move to bridge Nigerian talent with European football markets, providing opportunities for Nigerian players to showcase their skills on a larger stage.

Before Akinlade’s involvement, Aarhus Fremad was facing financial difficulties, with the club reporting a two million kroner loss over the previous two years. His investment has been pivotal in stabilizing the club’s finances and fostering a culture of growth and success.

Dorothy Nneka Ede – Lusitano Ginásio Clube, Portugal

Dorothy Nneka Ede is the first Nigerian woman to acquire a football club in Europe. She is the owner of Lusitano Ginásio Clube, also known as Lusitano de Évora, a historic football club based in Évora, Portugal.

Ede took ownership of Lusitano Ginásio Clube in June 2020. The club, which has a rich history spanning over 110 years, competes in the Campeonato de Portugal, the fourth-tier league in the Portuguese football system. 

Lusitano de Évora has aimed to climb the ranks of Portuguese football, striving to move up from the lower divisions and gain greater recognition under her leadership,

The club plays its home matches at Estádio do Lusitânia in Lourosa, a stadium with a capacity of 10,000 people. Ede’s ownership has focused on improving the club’s infrastructure, enhancing its competitive edge, and fostering a strong sense of community and pride among its supporters.

Dorothy Nneka Ede’s achievement is a significant milestone, not only for Nigerian women in sports management but also for the broader representation of Nigerians in European football. Her dedication to Lusitano Ginásio Clube underscores the growing influence of Nigerian entrepreneurs in the global football arena.