Sports
Highest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn
Highest-Paid footballer from Nigeria
The phrase “Naija no dey carry last” has been evident in football recently as there has been an influx of Nigerian footballers playing abroad. Football is the most popular sport in Nigeria with millions of fans supporting their clubs abroad. Nigeria has always been a home of incredible football talents and with more amazing young footballers showing in recent years, the weekly wages of Nigerian footballers has been on a rise.
The huge wages being paid to Nigerian footballers isn’t a surprise as the impact of the players is evident in those teams. Aside from the high wages they earn, Naija footballers are being traded for a huge amount of money. In the summer of 2020, Victor Oshimen became the most expensive African footballer of all time as he joined Napoli from Lille for about $80 million-plus add-on. Hardly any top European league without a Nigerian footballer performing at a high level and earning huge wages. A good sign for the Super Eagles as the national squad is now full of top talents.
We have decided to go on an adventure to reveal the highest-paid footballers from Nigeria, who are also featured in the best football predictions bettors will find on Takebet Nigeria. We have searched all leagues where Nigerian players compete, from European leagues such as English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Bundesliga to other top leagues.
Let’s dig into the list of the highest-paid footballers from Nigeria.
Odion Ighalo – Striker, Al-Hilal – $170,000 (last know)
Odion Ighalo is one of the most popular Nigerian players. The striker became the first Nigerian international to play for Manchester United after he joined the club on loan from the Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua in January 2020. Odion Ighalo scored five goals in 23 appearances before returning to Shanghai Shenhua at the end of his loan.
The Nigerian international joined Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab from the Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua in 2021. Ighalo scored 10 league goals in 19 appearances for Shanghai Shenhua. Odion made his debut in 2005 and moved to Europe in 2008 where he joined Udinese. The Nigerian international joined Watford during the 2014-15 and scored 36 league goals in 90 appearances for the club.
Odion Ighalo represented the Super Eagles during the 2018 World Cup. The Nigerian international holds the record for the most goals scored during a single Africa Cup of Nations with seven goals in 2019.
Ighalo earned $170,000 per week in Al Shabab. Odion Ighalo joins Al-Hilal, another Saudi football club, after the AFCON 2021. His salary in the new club is currently unknown, but the striker is sure to keep his #1 spot.
Victor Osimhen – Striker, Napoli – $110,000
Victor Osimhen is currently one of the best strikers in Europe. The Nigerian international has been amazing for Napoli this season after a slow start to life in the Italian Club. Victor Osimhen became the most expensive Africa striker in history after he joined Napoli from Lille for a fee of about $80 million in the winter transfer of 2020.
The Napoli striker has scored 19 goals in 45 appearances for the Italian side. Osimhen had an incredible rise to glory as he wasn’t able to join either Zulte Waregem or Club Brugge in his early days due to Malaria. Victor was in Nigeria’s under-17 team that won the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The Nigerian international won the Golden Boot in the tournament with 10 goals. He also won the Silver Ball award during the tournament.
Osimhen missed out on the 2018 World Cup squad. He made his debut for the national team in 2017. The Nigerian international made the squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and has been brilliant since then. He has scored 10 goals in 18 appearances for the national team.
Victor currently plays in Napoli and he earns $110,000 per week.
Wilfred Ndidi – Midfielder, Leicester City – $100,000
Wilfred Ndidi is currently one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. The Nigerian international has been incredible since he joined Leicester City from Genk in the winter transfer of 2017 for $20m. Ndidi has scored 10 goals in 196 appearances since he joined the club.
The Nigerian international won the most tackles in the Premier League (138) during the 2017-18 season. He also won the most tackles in the league in the following season of 2018-19. Wilfred Ndidi was an important player of the squad that won the 2020-21 FA Cup as they defeated Chelsea by a goal to nil.
Ndidi represented Nigeria during the 2016 Summer Olympics. He made the squad for the 2018 World Cup as they were knocked out in the group stage. Ndidi also represented the Super Eagles in the 2019 and 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. He has 47 caps for the Nigerian national team.
Wilfred Ndidi currently plays for Leicester City and earns $100,000 per week.
Kelechi Iheanacho – Striker, Leicester City – $80,000
Seniorman Kelz as he is widely regarded came into the limelight after an impressive outing during the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The Nigerian international won the Golden Ball award as the Super Eagles won the tournament. Iheanacho scored six goals during the competition as he won the Silver Boot.
Kelechi Iheanacho joined Manchester City in 2015. Iheanacho scored 21 goals in 64 appearances for Manchester City as he won the English Football League Cup. The Nigerian international joined Leicester City for a fee of about $30 million in the summer of 2017. Iheanacho was brilliant during the 2020-21 season as he scored 12 goals in the Premier League, overperforming his expected goals of 8.20.
Iheanacho represented Nigeria during the 2018 World Cup. The Leicester City striker also represented the Super Eagles during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Iheanacho has scored 12 goals in 42 appearances for the national team.
Kelechi Iheanacho currently plays for Leicester City and earns $80,000.
Alex Iwobi – Midfielder, Everton – $68,000
Alex Iwobi started his club career with Arsenal as he joined the youth team in 2004. The Nigerian international made his senior debut in 2015 for Arsenal against Sheffield Wednesday.
Iwobi scored 15 goals in 149 appearances for Arsenal as he spent four seasons with the senior team. The Nigerian international joined Everton from Arsenal for a fee of about $45 million in the summer of 2019. Iwobi won the FA Cup and two Community Shields with the Gunners. The Nigerian international has scored six goals in 80 appearances for Everton.
Alex made his international debut for Nigeria in 2015 although he started as a youth international for England. The Everton player has scored nine goals in 53 appearances for the Super Eagles. Iwobi scored the winning goal against Zambia to secure a spot for the Super Eagles in the 2018 World Cup. He was featured in the 2018 World Cup as Nigeria was knocked out in the group stage.
Iwobi played for the Super Eagles in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. The Nigerian international was sent off in the Round of 16 of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations as the Super Eagles suffered a 0-1 defeat to Tunisia.
Alex Iwobi currently plays for Everton and earns $68,000.
Victor Moses – Midfielder, Spartak Moscow – $56,000
Victor Moses was a popular player amongst Nigerian fans after he played a huge role in Chelsea’s Premier League triumph during the 2016-17 season. The Nigerian international started his club career in Crystal Palace before joining Wigan in 2010. Chelsea signed Moses in the summer of 2022 from Wigan. Moses went on loan to Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham United before returning for the 2016-17 season.
The Nigerian international was converted to a right wing-back under Antonio Conte as Chelsea won the league. Moses was later loaned out to different teams such as Fenerbache, Inter Millan and Spartak Moscow. The latter club signed the player on a permanent basis in July 2021. Victor Moses scored 18 goals in 128 appearances while playing for Chelsea. He won the Premier League, FA Cup and two UEFA Europa League titles with the Blues.
Victor Moses scored 12 goals in 37 appearances for the Nigeria national team. The Spartak Moscow player was an important player in Nigeria’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations triumph. Moses featured for the Super Eagles in the 2014 World Cup and the 2018 World Cup where he scored a goal in the 1-2 defeat to Argentina.
Victor Moses currently plays for Spartak Moscow and earns $56,000.
Moses Simon – Winger, Nantes – $40,000
Moses Simon was Nigeria’s best player during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. The Nigerian international started his senior club career with AS Trencin in 2014 where he scored 17 goals in 39 appearances before joining Gent in 2015. Moses scored 21 goals in 136 appearances with Gent as he spent four seasons at the club before joining Levante. The Nigerian international won the Belgian Pro League and Belgian Super Cup while in Gent.
Moses joined Levante on loan for the 2019-20 season with an option to buy. The deal was made permanent the following season as he signed a four-year deal. Moses has scored 17 goals in 85 appearances for Nantes.
Simon made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2015 against Uganda. He has scored six goals in 45 appearances for the national team. Simon represented Nigeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Highest paid Nigerian footballer FAQ
Who is the highest-paid footballer in Nigeria?
Odion Ighalo is the highest-paid Nigerian footballer. Ighalo joined Al Shabab from Shanghai Shenhua in January 2020 where he was being paid $402,000. The Nigerian international was the first player to play for Manchester United after he took a pay cut and received $200,000 to join the club on loan.
The Nigerian international was paid $170,000 in Al Shabab, and he is thought to stay in the same salary range in his new Saudi club, Al-Hilal, which he joins after the AFCON 2021.
Who is the richest Nigerian football player overall?
John Obi Mikel is the richest Nigerian footballer with a net worth of about $57 million. The Nigerian international is one of the greatest footballers in the country’s history. Mike Obi made his fortunes while playing for Chelsea in the Premier League. He spent 11 seasons at Chelsea where he scored six goals in 372 appearances for the club. Mikel won two Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Europa League, three FA Cup, one English Football League Cup and one FA Community Shield during his time at Chelsea.
Mikel Obi is currently a free agent after his contract with Kuwait SC was terminated just four months after joining the club.
Who is the most expensive footballer from Nigeria?
Victor Osimhen is the most expensive Nigerian footballer. Osimhen joined Napoli from Lille for a fee of about $80m in 2020 after scoring 18 goals in 38 appearances for the French club. The Nigerian international has scored 19 goals in 45 appearances for Napoli. Osimhen is being paid $110,000 per week in Napoli.
The UEFA Champions League final, FIFA World Cup warm-up matches and the latest action from Roland Garros are among the major sporting attractions lined up on SuperSport over the coming days.
The weekend’s headline event is Saturday’s Champions League final in Budapest, where newly crowned Premier League champions Arsenal take on defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in one of the most anticipated matches of the season.
From football to tennis, fans can look forward to a packed schedule as several competitions approach their defining moments.
European Football Takes Centre Stage
The spotlight this weekend falls on Budapest, where Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain meet in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday.
The match pits two domestic champions against each other, with Arsenal seeking the first Champions League title in the club’s history after ending a 22-year wait for the Premier League crown. Victory would also complete a remarkable league and European double for Mikel Arteta’s side.
PSG, meanwhile, are aiming to retain the trophy they won last season under Luis Enrique and become the first club since Real Madrid’s famous three-peat between 2016 and 2018 to successfully defend the title.
The final also presents several intriguing storylines. Arteta and Enrique become the first managers from the same country to face each other in a Champions League final while leading foreign clubs, while Arsenal’s Declan Rice and PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are among the stars expected to play key roles in the contest.
The UEFA Champions League final kicks off at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, with live studio build-up beginning at 3:30 p.m. As part of the ongoing Open View period, the match will air to DStv Yanga customers on SS Football Finals (DStv Ch. 202) and SS Football (DStv Ch. 205), while GOtv Jolli customers can catch the match live on SS Football (GOtv Ch. 61).
The Road to the FIFA World Cup
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup now just days away, several of the tournament’s contenders will fine-tune preparations through a series of international friendlies live on SuperSport.
The action begins on Sunday, 31 May, with Switzerland facing Jordan at 1:45 p.m., before Germany take on Finland at 7:30 p.m.
Monday brings a Scandinavian derby between Norway and Sweden at 5:45 p.m., while Austria face Tunisia at 7:30 p.m.
The fixtures continue throughout the week with Croatia against Belgium on Tuesday, the Netherlands versus Algeria on Wednesday, and Spain meeting Iraq on Thursday.
Next weekend’s highlights include Portugal against Chile, England facing New Zealand, and Croatia taking on Slovenia, as some of the world’s leading nations complete preparations for football’s biggest stage.
DStv will provide dedicated SuperSport FIFA World Cup channels, ensuring you can follow every match live or on demand. During the tournament, popular sports channels will transform into dedicated World Cup hubs:
SS Football Plus Africa → FIFA World Cup Central: Primary English match hub
SS EPL Africa → FIFA World Cup Extra: Secondary hub for concurrent matches
SS Football → FIFA World Cup Pass: 24/7 channel featuring documentaries and replays
Roland Garros Heats Up
Meanwhile, the clay-court battles at Roland Garros continue to gather momentum as the tournament moves towards its decisive stages.
With two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz sidelined through injury, world number one Jannik Sinner enters as the leading contender in the men’s draw, although Novak Djokovic remains a major threat.
In the women’s competition, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek are among the favourites seeking to dethrone reigning champion Coco Gauff in what promises to be another compelling week of Grand Slam tennis.
Follow All the Action
As part of the Canal+ family, SuperSport continues to deliver world-class football coverage throughout the season, from domestic cup finals and title races to major international tournaments like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Fans can watch live on DStv and GOtv or stream via DStv Stream and GOtv Stream. Manage subscriptions through the MyDStv and MyGOtv apps, visit DStv or GOtv Africa, or dial *288# to stay connected.
Nigeria’s football school has long been renowned for producing technically and creatively gifted players capable of turning any match into a spectacular show. Every boy kicking a ball around with friends in his neighborhood dreams of following the path of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Alex Iwobi. 1xCup2026 is here to help make those dreams come true. From July 23 to October 31, we are in for the country’s most popular grassroots football tournament, which will give young talents the chance to impress scouts from European and African clubs and sign their first professional contract.
Updated format, larger scale, and record number of participants
The fourth season of 1xCup Nigeria will become a true breakthrough for amateur football in the country. For the first time, teams from all five administrative divisions of Lagos will take part in the competition. Each district will have its own representative not only during the qualifiers but also in the group stage. 100 teams will receive invitations to participate in the qualification matches and will be divided into divisions according to the IBILE system: Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Division, and Epe. Only the top 24 amateur clubs will advance to the knockout stage.
1xCup 2026 is more than just a tournament. It fulfills the dreams of talented footballers and delivers unforgettable emotions to fans. This year, the intrigue is at its peak – qualification matches will not end in draws. Teams will always compete for victory, and players will get a unique opportunity to showcase their skills under maximum pressure.
Scouts from professional clubs will attend the matches
From the round of 32 to the final, 1xCup 2026 will become a center of football scouting. Over the previous three seasons, more than 30 players impressed scouts and signed their first professional contracts with clubs in Nigeria, Bulgaria, Albania, Norway, and other countries.
1xCup is a football talent incubator that turns the dreams of promising athletes into reality. The tournament gives players a chance to showcase the strength of Nigerian football and take their first step toward a professional career. Organizers have created optimal conditions for Nigerian football talents. The 1xCup 2026 matches will be held at the Inspire Sports Ground, Oshodi. With an excellent pitch and spacious stands, the arena provides the perfect atmosphere for exciting and spectacular clashes.
During the fourth season of 1xCup, players will compete not only for the attention of scouts and the pride of their districts, but also for a generous ₦20,000,000 prize pool. The tournament winner will claim ₦10,000,000, the runner-up ₦5,000,000, and the third-place team ₦3,000,000. Participants will also receive individual awards, including MVP, Top Goalscorer, Best Goalkeeper, Coach of the Tournament, and other prizes.
1xCup 2026 is the most anticipated football tournament in Nigeria. Every fan dreams of witnessing the rise of a new Cinderella story in football and supporting their local community team.
Applications for participation will be accepted from June 1 to June 19. Stay tuned for more announcements and follow one of Nigeria’s best football events on the 1xcup.ng website!
By Adedapo Adesanya
English top-flight football club, Crystal Palace, won their first European trophy as the South London club edged out Spanish side Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final following a lone strike from Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The French striker turned home a close-range winner on the rebound from an Adam Wharton strike early in the second half at Red Bull Arena, the home of German club RB Leipzig.
With the triumph, outgoing Palace boss Oliver Glasner leaves with the FA Cup, Community Shield and now Conference League in his CV, in a remarkable two-and-a-half-year spell at Selhurst Park.
The final was very calm with minimal chances. Rayo Vallecano striker Alemao turned a half-decent opportunity wide before Unai Lopez placed an effort past the post in the La Liga outfit’s best opportunities of the first half.
However, the best chance of the opening 45 minutes fell to Crystal Palace just before the break when Tyrick Mitchell headed wide after Wharton had found him with a superb ball into the box.
Palace took the lead just six minutes into the second half when Wharton’s strike was palmed into Mateta’s path by Vallecano goalkeeper Augusto Batalla, and the forward diverted it into the net.
It was Mateta’s 16th goal of the season for Palace – and he almost left the club in January before a knee injury halted a move to AC Milan.
Yeremy Pino then hit both posts with a free-kick before he almost set up a second goal for Mateta, which Batalla saved to keep the game at 1-0.
Vallecano, who have the lowest budget in La Liga, struggled to create any real chances late on as Palace held on for their historic moment – and delivered for Glasner in his final game as Eagles boss.
Crystal Palace had never won a major trophy until last season’s FA Cup success against Manchester City – and now have two in two seasons after opening the season with the Community Shield win over Arne Slot’s Liverpool.
Glasner and Palace’s glory this term comes despite the loss of two key players, with Eberechi Eze sold to Arsenal last summer and Marc Guehi joining City in January.
The triumph also marks a blessing in disguise for Crystal Palace, which were denied entry to the Europa League over multi-club issues last summer (and were replaced by Nottingham Forest. This is as a result of shareholder John Textor, who owned a significant stake in Crystal Palace while also controlling Olympique Lyonnais, and both clubs qualified for the Europa League.
UEFA’s rules prohibit one person or entity from having “control or influence” over two clubs in the same competition, to protect sporting integrity.
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