From Politics To Bet9ja: The Kunle Soname Story
Bet9ja Founder Kunle Soname's Billion-Dollar Journey
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Kunle Soname left a promising political career to build Bet9ja, and the gamble paid off in a big way — his platform now dominates Nigeria's sports betting market.
Bet9ja remains Nigeria's leading sports betting platform, but the person behind it almost never makes headlines. Kunle Soname, chairman and co-founder of Bet9ja, grew the from a modest offline operation in Ogun State into a nationally dominant enterprise.
Soname's background did not follow a simple route. He earned degrees in Estate Management, Political Science, and later finished an MBA before getting into local politics. He served as Executive Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council between 2003 and 2011, providing practical experience in mobilising people that turned out to be valuable in business.
After Soname founded Bet9ja in September 2013, he took a calculated decision to go offline first rather than start purely online. By recruiting agents across Ogun State and opening in-person betting shops for local football fans, he built a loyal user base prior to rolling out nationally. The platform eventually introduced an improved odds offering, virtual games, and a clean user experience to pull in new bettors nationwide.
At present, Bet9ja generates annual revenue of over $750 million, ranking it as the continent's largest sports betting brand. Soname's estimated net worth is now estimated at over $100 million, with certain sources placing the figure as much as $500 million, although these numbers are difficult to pin down given Soname's preference to keep finances undisclosed. For sports fans across Nigeria, the journey is relevant because it underpins the scale of investment that Bet9ja puts into the product.
Soname's business interests extend far beyond the betting industry. In 2025, Remo Stars was confirmed as Nigeria's NPFL champions, marking the first time privately-run side to win the league. On the aviation side, ValueJet began commercial flights in 2022 and has since expanded to more routes. The scope of these businesses shows a long-term strategy of investing in sectors that touch everyday Nigerians.
Key Facts On Bet9ja
The platform generates more than $750 million in yearly revenue, placing it the continent's biggest online betting brand by turnover. [BusinessDay]
Nigeria's online gambling sector is expected to exceed $3.63 billion by late 2025, making it a top-performing betting markets in Africa. [Grokipedia / SportRadar data]
Bet9ja operates a network of 5,000 licensed agents across Nigeria, providing employment to many thousands of Nigerian youths. [Nairametrics]
In 2019, Bet9ja invested above one billion naira to secure its place as headline sponsor of BBNaija, which ranks as the highest-rated television events in sub-Saharan Africa. [BusinessDay]
Nigeria's population of residents includes a large and growing young population, creating a globally competitive largest addressable audiences for betting. [BusinessDay]
The platform was ranked as Nigeria's second most popular website according to Google in 2019, above most major media and entertainment platforms. [Nairametrics]
Interesting Facts About Bet9ja
Did you know that the platform was launched by Ayo Ojuroye, who serves as CEO, while Soname takes on the position of chairman?
Bet9ja started as an offline-only platform in Ogun State, before going online and nationally.
Remo Stars, the club that Soname set up in 2004 with the name FC Dender, relocated from Lagos to Soname's home state as a sign of the founder's commitment to his hometown.
Bet9ja's YOHAIG promo code gives first-time bettors an opening bonus on their initial deposit, which makes it a highly competitive registration bonuses available at present.
He became the first Nigerian national to acquire a club in Europe when he acquired a 70% share of Clube Desportivo Feirense in 2015 through his company Tavistock Global Resource Limited.
The platform signed a deal with data supplier Sportradar and NetEnt to enhance both its odds accuracy and the breadth of its gaming content.
Kunle Soname also set up BLFA, a youth-focused talent development programme set up to develop young Nigerian footballers as a social intervention.
Whether you're a long-time Bet9ja user or are only now hearing about Bet9ja for the first time, knowing the story behind this brand helps explain why Bet9ja has become the dominant force it is in the market. First-time bettors can enter the YOHAIG promo code for a first-deposit offer — visit the latest YOHAIG listing for updated offer terms.
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)
