Aliko Dangote, the Nigerian billionaire who
recently declared an interest in buying Arsenal,
has revealed the reasons behind his decision in
buying the London club.
The 58-year-old business mogul believes that
buying a Premier League team will help raise the
profile of his home country Nigeria. Dangote had
been criticised by some people in Nigeria for not
investing in the country’s domestic league, but he
thinks the Gunners represent a better project.
“The issue is that if I buy all the Nigerian clubs,
the Nigerian flags will continue to remain here
(Nigeria),” Dangote told Forbes .
He added, “Buying Arsenal will take the Nigerian
flag worldwide. Just like whenever (Chelsea
owner) Roman Abramovich is mentioned, the
name of his country comes up. Everyone knows
he’s Russian.”
Dangote amassed his fortune by becoming the
majority shareholder in giant cement, flour and
sugar companies and currently supplies 90 per
cent of Nigeria’s 170million population.
His business empire also extends to oil and he is
building a private refinery in one of the country’s
jungle swamps due for completion in 2018.
Five years ago, Dangote attempted to buy a small
stake in Arsenal but was rebuffed. He tried to take
over the 15 per cent owned by Lady Nina
Bracewell-Smith, who eventually sold to Stan
Kroenke.
source: punch
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