Nigeria is home to some of Africa’s most celebrated footballers. Over the years, these stars have not only made waves in global football leagues but also built immense wealth through club salaries, endorsements, and investments. In this blog post, we bring you the 10 richest Nigerian footballers in 2025, their biographies, career highlights, and how they built their fortunes both on and off the pitch.
1. John Obi Mikel – €50 Million
- Age: 38
- Status: Retired
- Notable Clubs: Chelsea, Tianjin TEDA
- Career Highlights: UEFA Champions League, two Premier League titles, and multiple domestic cups with Chelsea
- Business Ventures: Real estate in Nigeria and Dubai, football podcast, ambassadorial deals
John Mikel Obi remains Nigeria’s richest footballer in 2025. Since retiring, he's made smart investment moves in real estate and media.
2. Odion Ighalo – €38 Million
- Age: 35
- Current Club: Al-Wehda (Saudi Arabia)
- Notable Clubs: Manchester United, Watford
- Career Highlights: AFCON 2019 Top Scorer, First Nigerian to play for Manchester United
- Investments: Orphanage home in Lagos, properties in Nigeria
Ighalo’s success story is one of resilience and generosity. He’s known for his philanthropy and continues to play professionally in Saudi Arabia.
3. Kelechi Iheanacho – €35 Million
- Age: 29
- Current Club: Sevilla FC
- Notable Clubs: Manchester City, Leicester City
- Career Highlights: FA Cup winner with Leicester, U-17 World Cup Golden Ball
- Investments: Real estate in Lagos and the UK
Kelechi Iheanacho’s sharp shooting and consistent performance have made him one of Nigeria’s top earners in European football.
4. Wilfred Ndidi – €30 Million
- Age: 28
- Current Club: Leicester City
- Position: Defensive Midfielder
- Career Highlights: FA Cup winner, one of EPL’s top tacklers
- Endorsements & Investments: Fitness and sportswear endorsements, real estate
Wilfred Ndidi combines football with business finesse. His discipline on the pitch mirrors his strategic approach to wealth building.
5. Alex Iwobi – €31 Million
- Age: 27
- Current Club: Fulham FC
- Notable Clubs: Arsenal, Everton
- Career Highlights: Africa Cup of Nations bronze medalist, over 60 caps for Nigeria
- Endorsements: Nike, Pepsi
Nephew to Jay-Jay Okocha, Iwobi has carved his own path. With a consistent presence in the Premier League, he's grown a solid personal brand.
6. Victor Moses – €26.2 Million
- Age: 34
- Current Club: Spartak Moscow
- Notable Clubs: Chelsea, Liverpool, Inter Milan
- Career Highlights: Premier League and Europa League winner
- Investments: Luxury apartments in Lagos and London
Victor Moses has had a glittering career across top European clubs. His smart financial decisions off the field keep him among Nigeria’s richest.
7. Ahmed Musa – €23 Million
- Age: 32
- Current Club: Kano Pillars (Nigeria)
- Notable Clubs: CSKA Moscow, Leicester City
- Career Highlights: Nigeria’s top World Cup goal scorer
- Business Ventures: Shopping malls, gas stations, transport businesses
Ahmed Musa is not just a footballer but also a business tycoon in Nigeria, with thriving investments in the retail and energy sectors.
8. Emmanuel Emenike – €15 Million
- Age: 37
- Status: Retired
- Notable Clubs: Fenerbahçe, Spartak Moscow, West Ham
- Career Highlights: AFCON 2013 top scorer
- Business Ventures: Real estate, hotel ownership, private hospital in Nigeria
Emenike built his fortune from football and diversified early into property and healthcare businesses after retiring.
9. Victor Osimhen – €12 Million
- Age: 25
- Current Club: Napoli
- Position: Striker
- Career Highlights: Serie A Top Scorer, Napoli’s leading man in UEFA Champions League
- Endorsements: Dettol, Nike, and local brand partnerships
Victor Osimhen is one of the most sought-after strikers in the world today. His rise from humble beginnings to global stardom is inspiring.
10. Samuel Chukwueze – €6 Million
- Age: 25
- Current Club: AC Milan
- Position: Winger
- Career Highlights: Europa League winner with Villarreal, fast-rising star in Serie A
- Investments: Properties in Spain and Nigeria
Chukwueze is among the new generation of Nigerian stars making waves in Europe and building wealth through the beautiful game.
FAQ Table: Quick Overview
Player |
Age |
Club/Status |
Net Worth (€) |
Key Highlight |
John Obi Mikel |
38 |
Retired |
€50M |
Champions League winner with Chelsea |
Odion Ighalo |
35 |
Al-Wehda |
€38M |
First Nigerian to play for Man United |
Kelechi Iheanacho |
29 |
Sevilla FC |
€35M |
FA Cup winner with Leicester City |
Wilfred Ndidi |
28 |
Leicester City |
€30M |
Top EPL tackler, FA Cup champion |
Alex Iwobi |
27 |
Fulham FC |
€31M |
Consistent EPL performer |
Victor Moses |
34 |
Spartak Moscow |
€26.2M |
EPL and Europa League winner |
Ahmed Musa |
32 |
Kano Pillars |
€23M |
World Cup top scorer for Nigeria |
Emmanuel Emenike |
37 |
Retired |
€15M |
AFCON 2013 top scorer |
Victor Osimhen |
25 |
Napoli |
€12M |
Serie A Golden Boot winner |
Samuel Chukwueze |
25 |
AC Milan |
€6M |
Europa League winner, rising star |
Conclusion
The football pitch is just one of many stages where these Nigerian stars shine. From Europe to Asia, they've built empires not just by scoring goals but also by making smart financial decisions. These 10 richest Nigerian footballers in 2025 are examples of how passion, discipline, and business savvy can lead to lasting success.