In a moment that powerfully underscores Nigeria’s growing influence beyond its borders, Engineer Jubril Dotun Sanusi has etched his name into European football history. On 29 January 2026, Sanusi officially became President of Club Deportivo Atlético Berja, a historic football club based in Andalusia, Spain, following the full acquisition of the club by Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort (Hospitality) Limited.
This landmark development is not just a personal achievement for Sanusi; it is a bold statement about Nigerian enterprise, vision, and leadership on the global stage. It represents the intersection of African entrepreneurship, European football heritage, youth development, and sustainable sports investment—a combination that is increasingly shaping the future of global sports business.
A Nigerian Vision Takes Root in Spanish Football
For decades, European football ownership has largely been dominated by investors from Western Europe, the Middle East, the United States, and parts of Asia. The emergence of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, a Nigerian-owned hospitality and sports conglomerate, as the new owner of Atlético Berja marks a significant shift in this narrative.
Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort formally assumed ownership of Interlink, thereby taking full control of all its assets and subsidiaries, including Club Deportivo Atlético Berja. This strategic acquisition places a Nigerian brand at the heart of Spanish grassroots football—one of the most competitive and culturally rich football ecosystems in the world.
At an Extraordinary General Assembly held at the Salva Sevilla Municipal Stadium, members of the club unanimously approved the appointment of a new Board of Directors, signaling confidence in the new ownership and its long-term vision. Engineer Jubril Dotun Sanusi was unanimously endorsed as President, a role that positions him as the chief architect of Atlético Berja’s future.
Who Is Engineer Jubril Dotun Sanusi?
Engineer Jubril Dotun Sanusi is widely known in Nigeria as a business leader, hospitality investor, and sports development advocate. Through Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort—located in Ibadan, Oyo State—Sanusi has built one of Nigeria’s most ambitious private-sector-driven hospitality and sports destinations, integrating luxury accommodation, tourism, recreation, and athletic development.
Ilaji is not merely a hotel or resort; it is a sports and lifestyle ecosystem, hosting football academies, tournaments, training facilities, and youth engagement programs. Sanusi’s philosophy has always extended beyond profit to include community impact, youth empowerment, and international collaboration—values that now form the backbone of Atlético Berja’s new direction.
His elevation to the presidency of a Spanish football club reflects years of strategic planning, international networking, and a clear belief that African investors can responsibly and successfully manage global sports institutions.
Atlético Berja: A Club with Deep Andalusian Roots
Founded in 1977, Club Deportivo Atlético Berja is a respected football institution in Andalusia, a region synonymous with football culture in Spain. While the club may not yet command the global attention of La Liga giants, it plays a crucial role in local talent development, community identity, and grassroots football.
Atlético Berja competes within Spain’s lower-tier football structure, which is renowned for producing technically gifted players and disciplined teams. Many Spanish football legends began their journeys in similar community-based clubs before rising to global prominence.
Under its new ownership, Atlético Berja is poised to transition from survival-focused management to strategic growth, professionalization, and international relevance.
Beyond Ownership: A Strategic Vision for Sustainable Football Development
Speaking after his appointment, Engineer Sanusi emphasized that the acquisition “goes beyond football.” This statement is central to understanding the philosophy behind Ilaji’s investment.
1. Youth Development at the Core
One of the most critical pillars of the new administration is youth development. Spain’s football system is globally admired for its academy structure, coaching philosophy, and emphasis on technical excellence. Ilaji’s vision is to strengthen Atlético Berja’s youth programs, invest in modern training methodologies, and create pathways for young talents to grow professionally.
There is also a strong expectation of cross-continental collaboration, potentially linking Nigerian youth talents with Spanish football education systems—an exchange that could benefit both regions immensely.
2. Community Engagement and Local Identity
Successful football clubs are deeply rooted in their communities. The new board has reiterated its commitment to community engagement in Berja, ensuring that the club remains a source of pride, opportunity, and social cohesion.
This includes partnerships with local schools, grassroots sports programs, and civic institutions—an approach consistent with European best practices in community-based football management.
3. Sustainable Sports Business Model
In an era where many football clubs struggle financially, Ilaji’s hospitality-driven, sustainability-focused approach stands out. By applying corporate governance, transparent management, and diversified revenue strategies, the new ownership aims to ensure Atlético Berja’s long-term stability.
This model mirrors successful global trends where clubs are managed as community-centered enterprises rather than speculative assets.
Why This Matters for Nigeria and Africa
The appointment of a Nigerian as president of a European football club carries symbolic and practical significance.
First, it challenges outdated stereotypes that African investors are only consumers of global sports content rather than owners, decision-makers, and innovators. Second, it opens doors for future African participation in international sports governance, ownership, and administration.
For Nigeria in particular, this milestone reinforces the country’s position as a source of entrepreneurial leadership, not just raw talent. Nigerian footballers have long excelled abroad; now, Nigerian executives are beginning to shape the institutions themselves.
Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort: From Local Excellence to Global Influence
Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort has steadily built a reputation in Nigeria as a multi-dimensional destination combining hospitality, sports, tourism, and cultural engagement. Its expansion into European football is a natural progression of its brand philosophy—connecting people, cultures, and opportunities through sports and leisure.
By acquiring Atlético Berja, Ilaji extends its footprint from Ibadan to Andalusia, reinforcing the idea that Nigerian brands can compete, collaborate, and lead internationally when driven by vision and structure.
A New Chapter for Atlético Berja
With the new Board of Directors in place and Engineer Jubril Dotun Sanusi at the helm, a new chapter has undeniably begun for Atlético Berja. Expectations are high, but so is optimism.
The immediate focus will likely include:
Organizational restructuring and governance reforms
Investment in coaching, facilities, and youth academies
Strengthening the club’s competitive performance
Building international partnerships and brand visibility
As Sanusi himself noted, “The journey continues—and the work starts now.” Those words capture the seriousness of purpose behind this historic acquisition.
Conclusion: History in the Making
The emergence of Engineer Jubril Dotun Sanusi as President of Club Deportivo Atlético Berja is more than a headline—it is a case study in modern African leadership, global sports investment, and strategic ambition.
From Nigeria to Spain, from hospitality to football governance, this story reflects a broader transformation underway: Africans are no longer just participating in global systems; they are shaping them.
As Atlético Berja embarks on this new journey under Nigerian ownership, the football world will be watching closely. One thing is certain—this is not just a win for Ilaji or Berja, but a symbolic victory for Nigerian enterprise and African excellence on the global stage.
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