Kunle Soname: The Man Who Built Bet9ja From Scratch
How Kunle Soname Turned Bet9ja Into Nigeria's Top Brand
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Few people know the face behind the green-and-white Bet9ja logo, but Kunle Soname's path from politics to billion-dollar bookmaker is one to know.
The green-and-white Bet9ja name is visible on street corners and national TV across Nigeria. The chairman who built that brand, Kunle Soname, rarely courts public attention — yet his rise ranks among the most impressive in Nigerian commerce.
Soname's was far from a simple route. He studied Estate Management, Political Science, and eventually completed an MBA before entering local public office. He served as Executive Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council between 2003 and 2011, giving him firsthand knowledge in public administration that proved critical in business.
After Soname launched Bet9ja in September 2013, he took a calculated decision to start offline rather than launch purely on the web. By recruiting agents across Ogun State and setting up offline shops for community punters, he built a dedicated user base before rolling out nationally. Bet9ja then added competitive odds, virtual games, and a simplified user experience to win over tech-savvy users nationwide.
The platform's growth delivered practical advantages for Nigerian bettors. Soname's significant spending in technology, physical locations, and brand partnerships has created one of the most comprehensive sportsbook offerings accessible in West Africa. Bet9ja now integrates payments from major Nigerian banks, which makes depositing and withdrawing fast and easy.
Beyond Bet9ja, Soname has built a multi-sector business empire. He owns Remo Stars F.C., a top-flight Nigerian football club from Ikenne, Ogun State, that claimed the NPFL title in 2025 as the first privately-owned club to do so. He additionally took a stake in CD Feirense in 2015, making him the first Nigerian national to hold a stake in a European club. His portfolio also span aviation via ValueJet, banking through co-founding Optimus Bank, manufacturing through Ceramco Trading, and farming through Kuker Farms in Abeokuta.
Key Facts On Nigerian Sports Betting
Bet9ja reports more than $750 million in yearly revenue, placing it the continent's biggest sports betting operator by turnover. [BusinessDay]
The Nigerian online gambling market is forecast to hit $3.63 billion by end-2025, ranking it as a top-performing gambling markets on the continent. [Grokipedia / SportRadar data]
Bet9ja maintains a network of 5,000 licensed agents across Nigeria, giving employment to tens of thousands of young Nigerians. [Nairametrics]
In 2019, Bet9ja invested over N1 billion to secure its place as headline sponsor of the Big Brother Naija reality TV show, one of the most watched TV shows in West Africa. [BusinessDay]
Nigeria's over 220 million people includes a large and increasing youth demographic, producing one of the world's sizeable markets for online betting. [BusinessDay]
Bet9ja's website was reported as Nigeria's second most visited website by Google at its peak, ahead of many Nigerian commercial websites. [Nairametrics]
Bet9ja: Did You Know?
Did you know that Bet9ja was co-founded together with Ayo Ojuroye, who serves as CEO, while Soname takes on the role of company chairman?
Bet9ja launched as an offline-only business in Ogun State, prior to expanding online and across Nigeria.
Soname's football club, the club that Soname set up in 2004 as the name FC Dender, was rebranded and moved from Lagos to Ikenne, Ogun State to reflect the founder's attachment to Ikenne.
The YOHAIG promotion code provides first-time bettors a welcome bonus on their initial deposit, making it a highly competitive registration bonuses available today.
The Bet9ja chairman became the first person from Nigeria to own a European football club when he acquired a 70% ownership in Clube Desportivo Feirense in 2015 via his company Tavistock Global Resource Limited.
The platform partnered with data supplier Sportradar and casino content provider NetEnt to enhance both data quality and virtual sports and casino content.
The Bet9ja chairman has also established Beyond Limits Football Academy, a community initiative for young players aimed at identify and support youth talent as a community project.
The Bet9ja chairman's rise is a reminder that knowing your audience and acting on instinct can build a lasting enterprise. Nigerian sports fans who want to sign up to the platform can use the YOHAIG bonus code to unlock a sign-up bonus at sign-up. Head to a trusted Bet9ja promotion code page for the most up-to-date bonus offer before creating an account.
Sources
BusinessDay Nigeria — How Bet9ja's Kunle Soname Left Politics to Bet on a Billion-Dollar Industry (accessed March 2025)
Nairametrics — Meet Bet9ja's Kunle Soname (accessed March 2025)
Billionaires Africa — 9 Companies Owned by Kunle Soname (accessed March 2025)
Legit.ng — Full List of Companies Owned by Kunle Soname (accessed March 2025)
Grokipedia — Kunle Soname (accessed March 2025)
BusinessDay Nigeria — How Kunle Soname is Redefining Nigeria's Football Club Management (accessed March 2025)
