Over a decade after Nigeria’s triumphant 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), two prominent Nigerian billionaires, Aliko Dangote and Tony Elumelu, have yet to honor financial pledges made to the victorious Super Eagles squad.
Dangote, Africa’s richest man and president of Dangote Industries Limited, promised $1 million to the team but has yet to fulfill the commitment. Similarly, Tony Elumelu, chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), pledged $500,000, which also remains unpaid.
Despite their growing wealth—Dangote’s fortune reportedly increased by $10.5 billion in the past year following the launch of the Dangote Refinery their failure to deliver on these promises has cast a shadow over their reputations and stirred public criticism.
The 2013 AFCON victory, led by the late coach Stephen Keshi and captain Mikel Obi, was a moment of national pride, with Sunday Mba scoring the decisive goal. Yet, more than 10 years later, the players continue to await the rewards promised by the country’s elite.
Fans and stakeholders have expressed disappointment, citing this as yet another example of unfulfilled promises in Nigerian sports
