The phrase “Naija no dey carry last” has been evident in football recently 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 home to incredible football talents and with the emergence of more incredible young footballers in recent years, the weekly wages of Nigerian footballers have been on the rise.

The huge salaries paid to Nigerian footballers come as no surprise as the impact of the players is evident on those teams. Aside from the high salaries they earn, Naija’s footballers are being traded for a large amount of money. In the summer of 2020, Victor Oshimen became the most expensive African footballer of all time when he joined Napoli from Lille for a bonus of more than $80 million. Hardly any major 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 now filled with top talent.

We have decided to go on an adventure to reveal the highest paid footballers in Nigeria, who are also featured in the best football predictions bettors will find in takebet nigeria. We have searched all the leagues Nigerian players compete in, from European leagues like English Premier League, Spanish League, Serie A, Ligue 1, Bundesliga and other major leagues.

Let’s take a look at the list of the highest paid soccer players in Nigeria.

Odion Ighalo – Forward, Al-Hilal – $170,000 (last knowledge)

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 Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua in January 2020. Odion Ighalo scored five goals in 23 appearances before returning to Shanghai Shenhua at the end of your loan.

The Nigerian international joined Saudi Arabian side 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 international 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 international holds the record for most goals scored during a single Africa 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 No. 1 ranking.

Victor Osimhen – Forward, Napoli – $110,000

Victor Osimhen is currently one of the best forwards in Europe. The Nigerian international has been incredible for Napoli this season after a slow start at the Italian club. Victor Osimhen became the most expensive African striker in history after joining Napoli from Lille for around $80 million on a winter 2020 transfer.

The Napoli striker has scored 19 goals in 45 appearances for the Italian team. Osimhen had an incredible rise to glory as he was unable to join either Zulte Waregem or Club Brugge in his early days due to malaria. Victor was in the Nigeria under-17 team that won the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The Nigerian international won the Golden Boot at 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 was part of the squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and has been brilliant ever since. He has scored 10 goals in 18 games for the national team.

Victor currently plays for 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 international has been incredible since he joined Leicester City from Genk on the 2017 winter transfer for $20 million. Ndidi has scored 10 goals in 196 games since he joined the club.

The Nigerian international earned the most tackles in the Premier League (138) during the 2017-18 season. He also earned the most tackles in the league in the following 2018-19 season. Wilfred Ndidi was an important player in the team that won the 2020-21 FA Cup by beating Chelsea 1-0.

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 – Forward, Leicester City – $80,000

The veteran Kelz, as he is widely regarded, stepped into the spotlight after an impressive performance 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 and 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 English Football League Cup. The Nigerian international joined Leicester City for a fee of around $30 million in the summer of 2017. Iheanacho was brilliant during the 2020-21 season when he scored 12 Premier League goals, surpassing his goals expected of 8.20.

Iheanacho represented Nigeria during the 2018 World Cup. The Leicester City forward 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 when 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 and spent four seasons with the senior team. The Nigerian international joined Everton from Arsenal for around $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 out as a youth international with England. The Everton player has scored nine goals in 53 appearances for the Super Eagles. Iwobi scored the game-winning goal against Zambia to secure a place for the Super Eagles in the 2018 World Cup. He appeared in the 2018 World Cup when Nigeria were 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 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 after playing a huge role in Chelsea’s Premier League triumph during the 2016-17 season. The Nigerian international began his career at club Crystal Palace before joining Wigan in 2010. Chelsea signed Moses in the summer of 2022 from Wigan. Moses was loaned out to Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham United before returning for the 2016-17 season.

The Nigerian international became a right-back under Antonio Conte as Chelsea won the league. Later, Moses was loaned to different teams such as Fenerbache, Inter Millan 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, the 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 an important player in Nigeria’s triumph at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. Moses played for the Super Eagles at the 2014 World Cup and 2018 World Cup, where he scored a goal in the 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 the best player for Nigeria during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. The Nigerian international began 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 for Gent and 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 arrives on loan to Levante for the 2019-20 season with a purchase option. The deal was made permanent the following season when he signed a four-year deal. Moses has scored 17 goals in 85 appearances for Nantes.

Simon made his Super Eagles debut 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 soccer player 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 he had his salary cut and he was given $200,000 to join the club on loan.

The Nigerian international was paid $170,000 at Al Shabab, and is believed to remain in the same salary range at his new Saudi club Al-Hilal, which he will join after AFCON 2021.

Who is the richest Nigerian soccer player overall?

John Obi Mikel is the richest Nigerian footballer with a net worth of around $57 million. The Nigerian international is one of the best footballers in the country’s history. Mike Obi made his fortune from it 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 Cups, 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 in Nigeria?

Victor Osimhen is the most expensive Nigerian footballer. Osimhen joined Napoli from Lille for around $80 million 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 paid $110,000 a week at Napoli.