Football fans are rallying on social media, urging Aliko Dangote, the President and CEO of Dangote Group, to shift his focus toward Nigeria’s Premier Football League (NPFL) rather than purchasing Arsenal Football Club. This push follows a recent Bloomberg interview in which Dangote expressed regret over missing the chance to buy the English Premier League club when it was valued at $2 billion, as he prioritized funding his refinery project in Nigeria.

The Nigerian billionaire, who previously showed interest in acquiring Arsenal back in 2020 after completing his refinery project, has now paused his ambition to own the North London team.

When asked about his missed opportunity in the interview, Dangote admitted, “I regret not buying it before, but you know my money was more needed in completing my project (Dangote Refinery) than buying Arsenal. I would have bought the club for $2bn, but I wouldn’t have been able to finish my project.”

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This statement sparked reactions among Nigerian football enthusiasts, who are now calling on Dangote to direct his financial power toward developing local football. One fan, Owochejo Francis, suggested that Dangote could start his own football club in Nigeria, which would create jobs and elevate the country’s league. Arong Usang echoed this sentiment, encouraging Dangote to sponsor and invest in Nigerian teams, emphasizing the lasting impact it could have on the domestic game.

Adeniyi Adeleke took the idea further, recommending that Dangote not only buy a club but also invest in building a world-class stadium. Fans like Johnbosco Nazic and Nze Chimereze urged him to revamp established Nigerian clubs, such as Kano Pillars and Enugu Rangers, to make them competitive across the African continent.