Elumelu admits interest in owning NPFL club

Tony Elumelu
Tony Elumelu

Businessman Tony Elumelu on Monday said the minister of sports John Enoh has approached him about the possibility of buying a club in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Mr Elumelu stated this in a post on X in reaction to an idea raised by a netizen Adedayo Mustapha.

The development was made public when sports journalist Adepoju Tobi called for an overhaul of administration of domestic football in Nigeria.

“We need to pause domestic football for three-four years and start reforms,” Adepoju wrote.

“Sack 95% of the current administrators and disband 80% of the clubs. Restructure ownership by taking government out on 100% ownership.

“From facilities, to coaching, to talent development and more. We have a 100 years to go.”

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Mustapha reacted with an idea, “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.”

Elumelu described it as a “nice idea”, giving Mustapha a thumbs-up.

“The Sports Minister, Senator John Enoh @OwanEnoh, is already thinking along this line and has approached me and we are already evaluating viability,” the philanthropist added.