Meet Nigerian business tycoons who own clubs in Europe

Nigerian business tycoons are making waves in the European football scene, investing in clubs and redefining club ownership dynamics.

In this article, mynigeria looks at three Nigerian entrepreneurs who own football clubs in Europe.

Kunle Soname

Kunle Soname, who is the founder of Bet9ja leads the pack with his ownership of Portuguese club CD Feirense which he acquired in 2015.

Soname's acquisition marked a historic moment as the first Nigerian to own a club in Europe.

He further solidified his presence in the sports industry by also acquiring NPFL club Remo Stars football club.

Shola Akinlade

Shola Akinlade is the co-founder and CEO of Paystack. He is next on the list after acquiring a majority share in second-tier Danish club Aarhus Fremad.

The 76-year-old holds 55 percent shares in the club.

Akinlade is also the founder of Sporting Lagos FC which plays in the NPFL.

Nneka Ede

Nneka Ede, who is a prominent businesswoman adds diversity to the list as the sole female owner of a club in Europe.

She purchased Lusitano de Évora, a Portuguese club with a rich history in June 2020, showcasing her commitment to the sport and fostering growth opportunities.

The club plays in the fourth tier of the Portuguese football league.

Another Nigerian business mogul who comes close to making this list is Dozy Mmobuosi. The tech entrepreneur was close to buying struggling Premier League side, Sheffield United at the time the club was still competing in the championship.

Unfortunately, Dozy couldn't finalize a deal with the owner, Prince Abdullah.