In a significant move to bolster Nigeria’s sports industry, Kunle Soname, one of the country’s most influential sports investors, met with Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Council (NSC), to discuss strategic initiatives aimed at driving private sector participation in sports.
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Soname, the visionary behind Bet9ja, ValueJet, and Remo Stars Sports Club, has been a key player in transforming Nigerian sports. His contributions extend beyond club ownership—he has built stadiums, developed grassroots football, and sponsored various sports initiatives across the country. His investment philosophy aligns with the NSC’s RHINES framework, which seeks to establish a sustainable sports economy in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Soname’s Expanding Sports Empire
Kunle Soname is not just a sports enthusiast; he is a game-changer. In 2015, he became the first Nigerian to acquire a European football club when he secured a 70% stake in C.D. Feirense, a Portuguese team. His Beyond Limits Football Academy, the youth wing of Remo Stars, made history in 2024 by becoming the first African club to win the Viareggio Cup, a prestigious global youth football tournament.
His reach extends beyond football. Through ValueJet, he has made strategic inroads into Nigeria’s aviation sector, showcasing his ability to bridge sports, business, and infrastructure development. His approach exemplifies how private investment can drive long-term growth in Nigerian sports.
A Strategic Dialogue for the Future
During their meeting, Shehu Dikko and Kunle Soname engaged in in-depth discussions on key areas that could unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s sports sector, including:
✔ Expanding private sector investment through policy reforms and incentives
✔ Developing sports content production to increase global visibility and revenue generation
✔ Establishing the National Sports Development Fund to support grassroots and elite sports
✔ Strengthening regulatory frameworks to foster sustainable growth and investor confidence
Speaking after the meeting, Shehu Dikko emphasized the importance of private sector engagement in driving sports development. He acknowledged Soname’s contributions as a model for other investors and reiterated the NSC’s commitment to collaborating with key stakeholders to create a thriving sports economy.
“The role of private investors like Kunle Soname cannot be overstated. His investments in sports infrastructure, club development, and youth empowerment are precisely what Nigeria needs to compete on the global stage.
Our goal at the National Sports Council is to create an enabling environment that attracts more investors to the sector,” Dikko stated.
The Path Forward
As Nigeria continues to develop its sports economy, the collaboration between visionary investors like Kunle Soname and policymakers like Shehu Dikko is crucial.
The discussions held during this meeting signal a new phase of strategic growth for Nigerian sports—one that prioritizes sustainability, private investment, and global competitiveness.
With the right framework in place, Nigeria has the potential to become a dominant force in the global sports industry. The question remains: Who will be the next investor to follow in Soname’s footsteps?
