Kola Aluko, the oil magnate who shot to wealth and acclaim in the wake of his suggestive relationship with Diezani Allison-Maduekwe, Nigeria’s petroleum minister, is an energy and aviation tycoon, founded Fossil Resources in 2001 and turned it into a formidable force inside the Nigerian energy sector. A passionate car racing enthusiast, Aluko has competed in major European races with the Swiss team Kessel racing. In June 2012, he reportedly purchased two ultra-modern luxury estates in Beverly Hills at $40 million. In December 2012, Aluko stepped on to the podium at Rome’s Vallelunga circuit to celebrate third place in the Endurance Champions Cup. It was a defining moment in his motor racing career as he stood next to one of his idols, former F1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella. The race at Vallelunga was the fourth and final race of the Cup, which was won by Fisichella and Italy’s AF Corse. Aluko’s Kessel Racing team, with co-pilots Thomas Kemenater and Maurizio Mediani, were consistent throughout the six-hour race which is as much a feat of endurance as of skill.
Aluko is one of a handful of black racing drivers driving change in the perceptions of a traditionally white and Asian sport. He is on the board of the Nigeria FIA and recently hosted FIA President Jean Todt as he made a two day visit to Nigeria to investigate the possibility of bringing motor racing to the country.
Aluko owns Kessel Racing’s Ferrari 458 GT2 and has previously competed in the Winter Series GTOpen in Montmelo Catalonia, Spain “It is a way to take my mind off everything else,” he considers.
He currently races out of his base in Lugano Switzerland, where Kessel Racing is also located. There he stores his collection of race cars and classic cars. They include classic cars from the 1960s like a California Spider and a 250 Luso, a Ferrari Dino and others like the Aston Martin DB5, thoroughbred Ferraris like the 2GO, the F40, the F50 and the Enzo.
“Obviously I can’t drive all the cars but the guys who look after them are professionals,” he says. “My cars are my passion and an investment, mostly they go up in value but I do drive them.
“The Maserati MC12 racing car was one of only nine built and has won championships in the past. I have the F1 car from 2008 driven by Kimi Raikonnen and tested by Michael Schumacher, a Goldwing SL from the 60s. They are better investments than a lot of other things.”
“If you look inwards and try to focus on the best you can do; if you are the sort of person who always challenges himself, then you are so far ahead of the others and the game. You can only do as best as you can. That is something I have got from racing.” His name is a door opener around the world. Imagine a 'lifestyle institution' like 'Harrods' speaking ones name with a smile on their lips, ever ready to acknowledge he shops at their store. We hear he is one of the 'biggest spenders' in Harrods. Imagine the top manager of a Ferrari franchise asking in curiosity how special is the name 'Kola' , because one of their special friends/customer is Kola Aluko. Another 'Kola' not him, had gone to buy a Ferrari, eliciting the curiosity. For one to better appreciate how legendary the guy's car collection is, we heard a special coffee table book was published to celebrate those cars, just like it was done for Ralph Lauren's cars collection.
Aluko’s love of cars transcends the trope of obsession or ordinary fleeting fascination. His vehicles garages in his palatial mansions across the world stocks the best of state of the art automobiles. He is also an avid Formula 1 enthusiast; some say he has over 20 plus racing cars for his own F1 Team. Besides cars, the Nigerian energy and aviation tycoon betrays a love for expensive timepieces. Sources close to him claim that his wrist watch collection is to die for; he has a particular one that cost him a whooping $1 million.
Aluko is one of a handful of black racing drivers driving change in the perceptions of a traditionally white and Asian sport. He is on the board of the Nigeria FIA and recently hosted FIA President Jean Todt as he made a two day visit to Nigeria to investigate the possibility of bringing motor racing to the country.
