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Victor Osimhen will finish 2023 as the highest-paid Super Eagles star following his new bumper contract with Napoli.
In the ever-evolving landscape of football, fortunes on and off the pitch are subject to constant shifts, and 2023 has witnessed a significant paradigm change in the realm of Nigerian football earnings.
Super Eagles of Nigeria striker and Napoli hero Victor Osimhen has emerged triumphant in the financial realm, displacing Alex Iwobi to claim the title of the highest-paid Nigerian footballer of 2023.
This seismic shift in earnings not only reflects Osimhen's stellar performances but also underscores the dynamic nature of success in the world of professional football.
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Revealed: Top 10 Highest-paid Nigerian footballers of 2023
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1. Victor Osimhen – $20 million
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On-Field Earnings: $18 million
Off-Field Earnings: $2 million
In the illustrious landscape of Nigerian football, a new zenith has been reached as of 2023, with Victor Osimhen ascending to the throne of the highest-paid Nigerian footballer.
The 24-year-old striker, donning the colors of Napoli, has recently etched his name into the annals of football history by inking a groundbreaking deal with the reigning Scudetto champions.
In a seismic move, Osimhen's new contract not only catapults him to the summit of Napoli's payroll but also positions him as the second highest-paid player in the esteemed Serie A.
This monumental achievement solidifies his standing as the highest-paid African footballer ever to grace the revered Serie A pitches.
Osimhen's meteoric rise to financial prominence has been intricately woven into his historic triumph with Napoli during the 2022-23 campaign.
The prolific goal machine, having secured numerous individual and collective bonuses, has emerged as a beacon of excellence in the realm of football.
The pinnacle of Osimhen's accolades came with the prestigious 2023 CAF Player of the Year Award, a testament to his exceptional skills and unwavering commitment to the beautiful game.
This accolade not only burnishes his legacy but firmly places him among the pantheon of the greatest Nigerian strikers of all time.
As of 2023, Osimhen is the most valuable African footballer in the world.
Osimhen’s new deal at Napoli is also the second biggest contract signed by a Nigerian footballer ever, as he is expected to earn north of $40 million by the end of the contract in 2026.
Osimhen’s new salary breakdown (Guaranteed bonuses included)
Per Week: $322,770 ( ₦387,324,000)
Per Month: $1,291,080(₦1,549,296,000)
Per Year: $16,784,014 (₦20,140,816,800)
N.B: The figures above exclude on-field bonuses from international and club level competitions before tax.
Off the field, the Lagos-born striker has a slew of investments - most of which is undisclosed.
He is also reportedly courted by giants Nike, Puma, and Adidas who look to tie down a deal for Nigeria’s most influential footballer in 2024.
2. Alex Iwobi – $7.5 million
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On-Field Earnings: $6.5 million
Off-Field Earnings: $1 million
Alexander Chuka Iwobi is a 27-year-old Nigerian midfielder for Fulham F.C.
Iwobi stands out as one of the highest-paid Nigerian footballers in 2023, thanks to his wages in the Premier League.
Starting his career at Arsenal, he made 149 appearances, scoring 15 goals, and contributed to their FA Cup win in 2017 and the UEFA Europa League Final in 2019.
In August 2019, Iwobi made a significant move to Everton for an initial fee of £28 million, before completing a deadline day switch to Fulham FC in the summer of 2023.
A key player for both Fulham and the Super Eagles, he also holds the distinction of being the cousin of Nigerian football legend Jay-Jay Okocha.
Iwobi's journey is not just a tale of personal triumphs but also a story intertwined with family legacy and national pride.
3. Samuel Chukwueze – $6.4 million
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On-Field Earnings: $5.6 million
Off-Field Earnings: $0.8 million
Nigerian football sensation Samuel Chimerenka Chukwueze has recently made a dazzling move from Villarreal CF to AC Milan, signing a five-year deal in a high-profile transfer valued at €20 million, with an additional €8 million in add-ons. As of 2023, Chukwueze stands among the highest-paid Nigerian footballers globally, earning a weekly paycheck exceeding £84,000.
Chukwueze’s move to Italy this year marked a significant leap in his career, reflecting both his footballing prowess and heightened financial standing, signaling a new chapter in his journey from local roots to international stardom.
4. Kelechi Iheanacho – $6.2 million
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On-Field Earnings: $5.2 million
Off-Field Earnings: $1 million
Kelechi Promise Iheanacho is a 26-year-old Nigerian forward who currently plays for Leicester City in the EFL Championship.
Starting his senior career at Manchester City during the 2015–16 season, he made a significant move to Leicester City in 2017 for a reported £25 million fee.
Iheanacho has been a key player in international competitions, contributing to Nigeria's victories in the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup and the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Since making his senior debut in 2015, he has participated in major tournaments, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
As of 2023, Iheanacho stands as one of the highest-paid Nigerian footballers, having bagged endorsement deals with Bitnob and Multichoice.
5. Wilfred Ndidi – $6 million
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On-Field Earnings: $5 million
Off-Field Earnings: $0.9 million
At 26, Wilfred Ndidi is a standout Nigerian footballer, excelling as a defensive midfielder for Leicester City in the EFL Championship and the national team. Renowned for his defensive prowess and strategic positioning, Ndidi is among the highest-paid Nigerian footballers in 2023.
Despite his struggles with injury, the Super Eagles star has been phenomenal for the Foxes so far in the 2023-24 campaign, as he looks to help them stage their return back to the Premier League.
Joining the Super Eagles in October 2015, Ndidi made a memorable debut against DR Congo and solidified his role in a subsequent 3–0 victory against Cameroon.
Since then, he has become a linchpin in the national team, showcasing his commitment and talent on the field.
Ndidi's story exemplifies the intersection of skill, dedication, and financial success in professional football, inspiring both aspiring players and fans alike.
He currently has deals with Nigerian Fantasy football platform, Fanbants, having previously been snapped up by Multichoice.
6. Joe Aribo, Southampton – $4.7 million
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On-Field Earnings: $4.6 million
Off-Field Earnings: $0.05 million
Joseph Oluwaseyi Temitope Ayodele-Aribo is a 26-year-old midfielder for EFL Championship's Southampton.
As of 2023, Aribo is among the highest-paid Nigerian footballers in 2023.
Starting his career with Staines Town, Aribo spent four impactful years with Charlton Athletic in the English Football League before a notable move to Rangers in 2019.
His time with Rangers marked triumphs in the Scottish Premiership in 2021 and the Scottish Cup in 2022.
Born and raised in London, Aribo made his Nigeria national team debut in 2019, and was a key player in their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations squad.
Despite his contributions, his 2022 move to Southampton saw the team's unfortunate relegation to the Championship in his debut season.
7. Taiwo Awoniyi, Nottingham Forest – $3.4 million
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On-Field Earnings: $3.3 million
Off-Field Earnings: $0.1 million
Taiwo Micheal Awoniyi is a 25-year-old Nigerian striker who plays for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
Awoniyi has had a remarkable journey in professional football.
Starting as the Most Valuable Player in a Coca-Cola competition in London, he caught the eye of Seyi Olofinjana, a former Super Eagles star, leading him to the Imperial Soccer Academy.
Awoniyi has played for clubs like Liverpool, Frankfurt, Gent, Mainz 05, and Union Berlin.
In 2022, he made a significant move to Nottingham Forest for a reported club record of £17 million, solidifying his position among the highest-paid Nigerian footballers.
8. Emmanuel Dennis, Istanbul Basaksehir – $2.7 million
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On-Field Earnings: $2.6 million
Off-Field Earnings: $0.07 million
Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis is a 25-year-old Nigerian striker who currently plays for Turkish Super Lig club Istanbul Basaksehir on loan from Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, where he signed a £10 million deal in August 2022.
As of 2023, Dennis is one of the highest-paid Nigerian footballers thanks to his strategic career moves.
He began his career at Kwara Football Academy and played for clubs like Zorya, Brugge, FC Koln, and Watford.
Dennis debuted for the Nigerian senior team in September 2019, coming on as a substitute in a 2–2 draw against Ukraine.
His journey reflects a remarkable rise from academy football to fulfilling his dreams of playing for the national team while taking up opportunities in the top flight.
9. Ademola Lookman, Atalanta – $2.5 million
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On-Field Earnings: $2.5 million
Off-Field Earnings: $0.05 million
Ademola Olajade Lookman, a 25-year-old Nigerian winger for Serie A's Atalanta and the Super Eagles, emerged in 2015 with Charlton Athletic, showcasing his skills as a forward.
In 2017, he transitioned to Everton, predominantly playing as a winger.
Lookman's versatile talents also earned him representation in England from under-19 to under-21 levels.
However, a significant shift occurred in 2022 when FIFA granted him clearance to represent Nigeria.
Now considered one of the rising stars for the Super Eagles, Lookman has become one of the highest-paid Nigerian footballers in 2023 thanks to his impressive salary at Atalanta.
10. Paul Onuachu, Trabzonspor – $2.2 million
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On-Field Earnings: $2.2 million
Off-Field Earnings: $0.01 million
Paul Onuachu is one of the highest-paid Nigerian footballers in 2023.
The towering striker's prolific goal-scoring record, notably with Genk in Belgium, has elevated his market value, attracting a move to Southampton in the Premier League on deadline day in the January transfer window.
However, the 29-year-old striker has since gone on a loan switch to Turkish side, Trabzonspor.
Onuachu has already scored 8 goals and created 2 assists in 13 appearances for the Super Lig club so far this season.
METHODOLOGY
The Pulse Sports ranking of Nigeria’s highest-paid men’s footballers reflects the combined total of on-field earnings for the 2023-24 season, including base salaries, bonuses, and off-field estimates that reflect annual cash from endorsements, sponsorships, social media revenue, and the players' own businesses.
The figures were obtained from publicly accessible databases such as Capology.com, and Sportrac.com, as well as discussions with industry insiders (most of whom asked to remain anonymous).
All figures used in this article are converted to U.S. dollars using the current exchange rate.
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