Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, recently revealed his regret for not purchasing Arsenal Football Club when the opportunity arose.
In a candid interview with Bloomberg’s Francine Lacqua, the Nigerian billionaire shared that he had considered buying the club for approximately $2 billion but ultimately chose to focus on completing his ambitious refinery project.
Dangote’s interest in Arsenal is well-known. In 2020, he publicly stated his intention to acquire the club once his refinery was completed. However, by the time he had the resources available, Arsenal’s valuation had significantly increased, making the purchase less feasible. Arsenal is now estimated to be worth over $4 billion, which has caused Dangote to shelve his plans of ownership.
He expressed his disappointment by saying, “I actually regret not buying it before,” acknowledging that while Arsenal’s value has surged, his focus had to be on his refinery, a critical project for Nigeria’s economy. Despite not owning the club, Dangote remains a passionate supporter of Arsenal, watching their games and staying committed as a fan.
This revelation reflects Dangote’s practical approach to business, as he prioritized the development of the Dangote refinery, one of Africa’s largest industrial projects, over sports investment.
Although the dream of owning Arsenal may no longer be on the horizon, Dangote’s love for the North London club remains as strong as ever.
For more details, you can read the full interview and further information on various news platforms.
