‘I could have owned Arsenal – Aliko Dangote reveals biggest regret

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, has expressed regret for not purchasing English football club Arsenal when the opportunity arose.

During an interview with Bloomberg’s Francine Lacqua in New York, the Nigerian billionaire revealed that he once had an interest in acquiring the club when its value was around $2 billion.

Dangote explained that his decision to focus on his massive refinery project in Nigeria caused him to miss out on this opportunity.

Reflecting on the situation, he acknowledged that he could have owned the prestigious football club if he had allocated his resources differently at the time.

He said, “I think that time has passed. The last time when we had this interview, I told you as soon as I finish with the refinery, I am going to try and buy Arsenal.

“But you know everything has gone up and the club too is doing very well, Arsenal is doing extremely well right now. That time Arsenal wasn’t doing well.

“I think I don’t have that kind of excess liquidity to go and buy a club for $4 billion so to speak and use it as a promotional something.

“But what I will do is to continually be the biggest fan of Arsenal. I watch their games anytime they are playing. So, I will remain a major supporter of Arsenal but I don’t think it makes sense today to buy Arsenal.’

When asked if he regretted not buying when Arsenal’s value was lower, he said, “Actually, 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 $2 billion but you know I wouldn’t have been able to finish my project. So, It was either I finish my project or go and buy Arsenal.”

Dangote had in 2020 made known his intention to go for the North London club after his refinery project.

The richest man in Africa, who has now rested his ambition to take over at Emirates Stadium, founded the Dangote Group — the largest conglomerate in West Africa — in 1981