Bet9ja Founder Kunle Soname's Billion-Dollar Journey
From Politics to Bet9ja: The Kunle Soname Story
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Few people know the face behind the green-and-white Bet9ja logo, but Kunle Soname's path from political office to multi-million-dollar bookmaker is worth knowing.
You probably recognise the Bet9ja name, but not many know who built it. Kunle Soname, a quiet entrepreneur from Ikenne in Ogun State, launched Bet9ja in 2013 and built it into Nigeria's top-ranked sports betting brand.
Soname's academic path did not follow a straight line. He earned degrees in Estate Management, Political Science, and later completed an MBA prior to moving into local politics. He served as Executive Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council for eight years, earning him practical experience in public administration that turned out to be critical in business.
Soname's competitive advantage was more than the product. He leveraged his experience in public life to tap into mass audiences. Bet9ja expanded fast by pairing offline accessibility with digital access, a formula which few competitors could copy when it mattered most.
Today, Bet9ja reports annual revenue of more than $750 million, placing it as Africa's top-ranked sports betting brand. Soname's estimated net worth is put at over $100 million, with some reports suggesting a figure as much as $500 million, though such figures are hard to pin down given his choice to keep business details private. For punters in Nigeria, that growth is relevant because it underpins the depth of investment that keeps flowing into improving the experience.
His entrepreneurial drive reach well beyond sports betting. In 2025, Remo Stars became Nigeria's NPFL title-winners, marking the first time privately-owned club to claim the championship. On the aviation side, ValueJet started commercial flights in 2022 and quickly expanded its fleet and network. The breadth of these businesses reflects a consistent strategy of building assets that serve the Nigerian market.
Key Statistics About Bet9ja
The platform reports more than $750 million in revenue per year, making it the continent's biggest sports betting platform by turnover. [BusinessDay]
Nigeria's online gambling industry is projected to reach $3.63 billion by end-2025, ranking it as one of the fastest-growing gambling markets on the continent. [Grokipedia / SportRadar data]
The company operates more than 5,000 retail agents across Nigeria, offering income to tens of thousands of Nigerian youths. [Nairametrics]
In 2019, Bet9ja committed above one billion naira to secure its place as main sponsor of BBNaija, which ranks as the most popular television events in West Africa. [BusinessDay]
Nigeria's over 220 million citizens includes a large and expanding base of young consumers, creating an exceptionally sizeable markets for online betting. [BusinessDay]
The platform was reported as the second most visited site in Nigeria according to Google in 2019, ahead of most major news platforms. [Nairametrics]
Did You Know?
Did you know that Bet9ja was co-founded by Ayo Ojuroye, who serves as CEO, while Soname occupies the role of chairman?
Bet9ja launched as an physical business in Ogun State, and only later expanding to the web and across Nigeria.
Remo Stars F.C., the club that Soname set up in 2004 under the name FC Dender, was rebranded and moved from Lagos to Ikenne, Ogun State to reflect the founder's attachment to Ikenne.
Bet9ja's YOHAIG bonus code offers first-time bettors a sign-up bonus on their first deposit, which makes it a highly competitive welcome deals on the market at present.
Soname became the first Nigerian national to hold a stake in a top-tier European football side when he took a 70% stake in CD Feirense in 2015 via his company Tavistock Global Resource Limited.
Bet9ja works with global data provider Sportradar and casino content provider NetEnt to enhance both data quality and virtual sports and casino content.
Kunle Soname also set up Beyond Limits Football Academy, a youth-focused football development initiative designed to invest in youth talent as a social intervention.
The Bet9ja is a reminder that reading a market correctly and committing early are enough to build something extraordinary. Punters looking to get started on Bet9ja should use the YOHAIG promotion code to get a first-deposit bonus at sign-up. Check 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)
