Tony Elumelu, the esteemed Chairman of United Bank of Africa (UBA) and Heirs Holdings, has revealed his contemplation of acquiring a club within the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
This announcement surfaced recently following a suggestion on X platform (previously Twitter), advocating for greater support from prominent businesses towards Nigerian football.
A user by the name of Adebayo Mustapha proposed that the government should incentivize large corporations in Nigeria to invest in football clubs as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Mustapha illustrated his point by highlighting the potential of linking teams with companies to enhance competitiveness within the league.
In response, Elumelu acknowledged the proposition, disclosing that Sports Minister Senator John Enoh had already initiated discussions on this initiative. He further mentioned that they are currently conducting feasibility assessments to evaluate the viability of the proposal.
“This is an intriguing idea. Sports Minister Senator John Enoh has engaged me in discussions regarding this matter, and we are actively assessing its feasibility,” Elumelu affirmed in his tweet.
As discussions progress, the potential involvement of influential figures like Elumelu signifies a promising prospect for the development and sustainability of football within Nigeria. Such initiatives not only enhance the competitive landscape of the NPFL but also contribute significantly to the growth and prominence of Nigerian football on a global scale.