The phrase “Naija no dey carry last” has been seen in football in recent times as there has been an influx of Nigerian footballers playing abroad. Soccer is the most popular sport in Nigeria with millions of fans supporting their clubs abroad. Nigeria has always been a home of outstanding football talent and with the amazing young footballers emerging in recent years, the weekly salaries of Nigerian footballers have been on the rise.
The huge salaries paid to Nigerian footballers comes as no surprise as the impact of the players is evident in those teams. Apart from the high salaries 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 after joining Napoli from Lille for an additional $80 million. There is hardly any top European league without a Nigerian footballer performing at a high level and earning huge salaries. A good sign for the Super Eagles as the national team is already loaded with great talent.
We have decided to go on an adventure to find out the highest paid footballers from Nigeria who are also featured in the best soccer predictions bettors will find in Takebet Nigeria. We have searched all the leagues where Nigerian players compete, from European leagues like English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Bundesliga to other major leagues.
Let’s dig into the list of highest paid footballers from Nigeria.
Odion Ighalo – Striker, Al-Hilal – $170,000 (latest knowledge)
Odion Ighalo is one of the most popular Nigerian players. The striker became the first Nigerian international to play for Manchester United after joining the club on loan from 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 spell.
The Nigerian joined Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab from 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 joined Watford during the 2014-15 season and scored 36 league goals in 90 appearances for the club.
Odion Ighalo represented the Super Eagles during the 2018 World Cup. The Nigerian holds the record for most goals scored during an African Cup of Nations with seven goals in 2019.
Ighalo earned $170,000 a week at Al Shabab. Odion Ighalo joins Al-Hilal, another Saudi football club, after AFCON 2021. His salary at the new club is currently unknown, but the striker will surely keep his #1 spot.
Victor Osimhen – Forward, Napoli – $110,000
Victor Osimhen is currently one of the best strikers in Europe. The Nigerian has been superb for Napoli this season after a slow start to life at the Italian club. Victor Osimhen became Africa’s most expensive striker in history after joining Napoli from Lille for a fee of around $80 million in the 2020 winter transfer window.
The Napoli striker has scored 19 goals in 45 appearances for the Italian team. Osimhen had an incredible rise to fame as he was unable to join either Zulte Waregem or Club Brugge in his early days due to Malaria. Victor was in the Nigeria U-17 team that won the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The Nigerian won the Golden Boot at the tournament with 10 goals. He also won the Silver Ball award during the tournament.
Osimhen was left out of 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 ever since. He has scored 10 goals in 18 appearances for the national team.
Victor currently plays in Napoli and 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 has been outstanding since joining Leicester City from Genk in the 2017 winter transfer for $20 million. Ndidi has scored 10 goals in 196 appearances since joining the club.
The Nigerian won the most Premier League caps (138) during the 2017-18 season. He also earned the most tackles in the league in the upcoming 2018-19 season. Wilfred Ndidi was a key player in the side that won the 2020-21 FA Cup as they beat Chelsea 1-0.
Ndidi represented Nigeria during the 2016 Summer Olympics. He made the squad for the 2018 World Cup after they were eliminated in the group stage. Ndidi also represented the Super Eagles at 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 – Forward, Leicester City – $80,000
Seniorman Kelz, as he is widely regarded, came into the limelight after an impressive outing during the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2013. The Nigerian international won the Ballon d’Or 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 they won the FA Cup. The Nigerian international joined Leicester City for a fee of around $30 million in the summer of 2017. Iheanacho was excellent during the 2020-2021 season as he scored 12 goals in the Premier League, surpassing the 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 began 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 joined Everton from Arsenal for a fee of around $45 million in the summer of 2019. Iwobi won the FA Cup and two Community Shields with the Gunners. The Nigerian 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 man has scored nine goals in 53 appearances for the Super Eagles. Iwobi scored the winning goal against Zambia to secure a place for the Super Eagles in the 2018 World Cup. He featured in the 2018 World Cup after Nigeria was eliminated in the group stage.
Iwobi played for the Super Eagles at 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 loss 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 among Nigerian fans as he played a major role in Chelsea’s Premier League triumph during the 2016-17 season. The Nigerian started his club career at 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 was converted into a right-back under Antonio Conte as Chelsea won the league. Moses was later loaned out to various teams such as Fenerbache, Inter Milan and Spartak Moscow. The latter club signed the player permanently 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 Nigerian national team. The Spartak Moscow player was a key player in Nigeria’s triumph at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. Moses featured for the Super Eagles at the 2014 World Cup and 2018 World Cup where he scored a goal in a 1-2 loss 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 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 for Gent while spending four seasons at the club before joining Levante. The Nigerian international won the Belgian Pro League and Belgian Super Cup while at Gent.
Moses joined Levante on loan for the 2019-2020 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.
Top 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 paid $402,000. The Nigerian international was the first player to play for Manchester United after taking a pay cut and taking $200,000 to join the club on loan.
The Nigerian international was paid $170,000 at Al Shabab, and he is expected to stay in the same salary range at his new Saudi club, Al-Hilal, which he joins after AFCON 2021.
Who is the richest Nigerian footballer overall?
John Obi Mikel is the richest Nigerian footballer with a net worth of around $57 million. The Nigerian is one of the greatest footballers in the history of this country. Mike Obi made his fortune 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 Cups, one 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 soccer player from Nigeria?
Victor Osimhen is the most expensive Nigerian footballer. Osimhen joined Napoli from Lille for a fee of around $80 million in 2020 after scoring 18 goals in 38 appearances for the French club. The Nigerian has scored 19 goals in 45 appearances for Napoli. Osimhen is paid 110 thousand dollars a week in Naples.
