Football is a game that is played between two teams of eleven men or women kicking a round leather ball, and Football is often referred to as the “round leather game.” The game is so popular that over the years, it has become a crowd puller and money-spinner for club owners, sponsors, and footballers. This article looks at the richest footballers in Nigeria.
We know fans and players alike would love to know how much their idol earn weekly and even wish they could receive half of that sum. Also, if you have skills to play the game and want to make millions of dollars, then you must be among the best, be spotted by scouts, and exported to play the game in foreign lands.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria is currently the most expensive national team in Africa ahead of Morocco and Ivory Coast. Valued at €343.50m by transfermarkt, this massive valuation is a testament to the newfound success of Nigerian players in Europe’s top Leagues.
From Victor Osimhen’s sensational exploits at Napoli to Iwobi’s electrifying performances for Fulham, these guys are not just scoring goals but also commanding massive salaries and lucrative endorsement deals.
While the combined rating put Nigeria above other African powerhouses, who is the richest among them? As you guessed already, they all ply their trade abroad. They are on this list by the worth of visible assets and how much they earn weekly and yearly, their current contract sums, and cars.
Is it Osimhen, Chukwueze, or Ndidi? You will find out as we countdown to the top 10 richest footballers in Nigeria.
Note: This list is restricted to active players who can still represent the Super Eagles.
Richest footballers in Nigeria
Here are the richest footballers in Nigeria:
10. Anthony Ujah
Anthony Ujah might be a surprise inclusion because he doesn’t play for top clubs in Europe. However, the 32-year-old Braunschweig striker earns much more than some players in famous clubs.
The former Union Berlin forward pockets £7,500 per week and £390,000 per year playing for the newly promoted Bundesliga side. As for his net worth, Anthony Ujah is valued at £11,960,000.
Meanwhile, the forgotten striker has seven caps for the country but couldn’t open his goals account.
9. Henry Onyekuru
Though the former Monaco player hasn’t played for Super Eagles in recent years, he is still available for selection when needed.
The 26-year-old star plays for Saudi Club Al-Fayha as an attacking midfielder or winger.
Henry Onyekuru reportedly earns £68,000 per week, and commands an estimated net worth of £15.4 million.
8. Ademola Lookman
Regarded as one of the best wingers in Nigeria right now, Ademola Lookman occupies the 8th spot with an estimated £16.9 million net worth.
The 25-year-old winger was instrumental to the Super Eagles’ AFCON 2023 second-place finish, scoring three crucial goals.
The former Everton and RB Leipzig winger currently plays for Atalanta, earning £41,000 weekly.
So far this season, he has nine goals and four assists in 32 games.
7. Samuel Chukwueze
Samuel Chukwueze is a young left-footed winger who recently completed his move to Serie A giants, AC Milan.
This highly celebrated summer switch significantly boosted his net worth.
Top Italian Media outlets reported that the winger will pocket close to €5 million annually if he remains at the San Siro Stadium.
Apart from his salary, Chukwueze generates a chunk of money from endorsements. He signed a deal with Nike a few years back, but details were undisclosed.
6. Victor Osimhen
The current Africa’s best player has been turning heads lately, especially in the transfer markets.
His newly signed contract will earn him a whopping £113,000 per week, making him one of the highest-paid footballers in Nigeria.
Though his days at Napoli are numbered, Osimhen remains one of the most celebrated stars in Naples after leading them to their first scudetto in 33 years.
Having calculated his salary and some off-the-pitch deals, the 25-year-old striker reportedly has an estimated net worth between $10 million and $12 million.
5. Ahmed Musa
Ahmed Musa is the most capped Super Eagles player and has passionately served his fatherland.
Fondly called “the governor”, the Super Eagles captain currently plays for Sivasspor, where he earns £19,395 per week.
Besides his weekly wages, Musa also generates income from his petrol stations in Kano. He deservedly occupies the 5th spot on the list with an estimated €23 million net worth.
The 31-year-old started his career at JUTH FC of Jos before joining Kano Pillars, CSKA Moscow, Leicester City, and Al Nassr.
He will be remembered for his incredible brace against Argentina and Iceland (at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups).
4. Wilfred Ndidi
The Leicester City defensive midfielder is undoubtedly a world-class player in this present Super Eagles setup.
Though recent injuries have hampered his growth and performance on the pitch, the former Genk star has maintained an impressive net worth.
The combative midfielder reportedly earns £51,000 per week, making him one of the highest-paid players in the King Power Stadium.
Meanwhile, Wilfred Ndidi also earns from his endorsement deal with Nigerian cable TV company MultiChoice.
If the Salary Sport figures are something to trust, Ndidi’s net worth stands at around €30 million.
3. Alex Iwobi
Iwobi is the only player on this list who hasn’t played outside England. He started his career at the Hale End Academy and made his first-team debut in 2015.
He joined Everton in 2020 before he completed his £22 million switch to Fulham in the summer.
He currently earns £83,000 every week, becoming one of Fulham’s highest-paid players at the moment.
After estimating his wages and endorsements, Iwobi comfortably sits at the third spot with approximately £31 million net worth.
Interestingly, the 27-year-old attacking midfielder has featured in 78 games for the Super Eagles, scoring ten goals.
Nigerians will remember him for his well-taken goal that earned them the 2018 World Cup ticket against Zambia. It ended 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
2. Kelechi Iheanacho
Kelechi Iheanacho currently earns £65k/week at Leicester City, and he comes second with a net worth of about €35 million.
“Senior man”, as he’s fondly called, broke into the limelight during the 2013 UAE U17 World Cup competition.
Though he hasn’t quite reached the mark Nigerians expected, he remains one of the most talented players in the Super Eagles team.
1. Odion Ighalo
The experienced centre-forward comes first without any intense competition from his compatriots.
Ighalo has been with numerous clubs, scoring goals and leading the attack. He received around £300,000 weekly when he was with Changchun Yatai in the Chinese Super League.
After journeying across Europe and achieving his childhood dream of playing for Manchester United, Ighalo moved to Saudi Arabian club Al-Wehda, where he currently earns a huge pay.
His net worth is estimated to be around €38 million. Meanwhile, it will interest you to know that Ighalo is the only Nigerian to play for the Red Devils.
Conclusion
This article is the list of the richest footballers in Nigeria, who are playing actively. We used their earnings and visible assets like cars and businesses to draw up this list. If you know, any wealthy Nigerian Footballer that you think ought to be here, use the comment box below to send us the name.
There you have it — the top 10 richest Nigerian Footballers in 2024. Which of the names surprise you? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
