Nigerian footballers have built reputations for talent, grit, and consistency on pitches worldwide. But how much do they actually earn?
From Premier League regulars to stars in Italy, Germany, and Turkey, these players have worked their way up from youth academies in Lagos, Jos, and London to sign multi-million-euro contracts with top clubs. Here are the top 10 highest-paid Nigerian footballers in 2025, what they earn, where they play, and how they got there.
1. Victor Osimhen — €10 million/year | Highest Paid Nigerian Footballer
Victor Osimhen plays for Galatasaray in the Turkish Süper Lig, on loan from Napoli. He earns €10 million gross per year (about €192,000 per week), with his current contract at Napoli running until the end of the 2024-2025 season, making him the highest-paid Nigerian footballer in 2025.
Osimhen started his career at Ultimate Strikers Academy in Lagos and gained international attention after winning the Golden Boot at the 2015 U-17 World Cup. He went on to play for Wolfsburg, Charleroi, and Lille before joining Napoli in 2020.
2. Samuel Chukwueze — €5.13 million/year
Samuel Chukwueze plays for AC Milan in Italy’s Serie A. He earns €5.13 million per year (about €98,000 per week), with his current contract running until 2028.
Chukwueze started his career at Diamond Football Academy and gained international recognition at the 2015 U-17 World Cup. He joined Villarreal in 2017, where he spent six seasons before moving to Milan in 2023.
3. Alex Iwobi — £4.1 million/year
Alex Iwobi plays for Fulham in the English Premier League, earning £4.3 million per year (around £80,000 per week), with his current contract running until June 2028. Iwobi joined Arsenal’s youth system at the age of 8, broke into the first team in 2015, and moved to Everton in 2019. He signed for Fulham in 2023.
4. Wilfred Ndidi — £3.9 million/year
Wilfred Ndidi plays for Leicester City in the English Championship. He earns £3.9 million per year (around £75,000 per week), with his current contract running until June 2027, earning him his spot as one of the highest-paid Nigerian footballers in 2025.
Ndidi began his career at Nath Boys Academy in Lagos, moved to Genk in Belgium, and joined Leicester in 2017, where he became a key part of their midfield. Despite Leicester’s relegation, he remains one of the highest-paid Nigerian players in Europe.
Join 1,000+ Nigerians, finance experts and industry leaders at The Naira Life Conference by Zikoko for a day of real, raw conversations about money and financial freedom. Click here to buy a ticket and secure your spot at the money event of the year, where you’ll get the practical tools to 10x your income, network with the biggest players in your industry, and level up in your career and business.
5. Kelechi Iheanacho — £3. 9million/year
Kelechi Iheanacho is currently on loan from Leicester City to Middlesbrough, earning about £3.9 million per year (roughly £75,000 per week) based on his existing Premier League contract. Iheanacho rose to prominence after winning the Golden Ball at the 2013 U-17 World Cup. Shortly after, he joined Manchester City’s academy, moved to Leicester in 2017, and is now spending the 2024–25 season in the English Championship.
6. Joe Aribo — £3.6 million/year
Joe Aribo plays for Southampton in the English Championship. He earns £3.6 million annually (about £70,000 per week), with his contract expiring in June 2026. Aribo began his career in England’s lower leagues with Staines Town and Charlton Athletic before making a name at Rangers. He signed for Southampton in 2022 following a strong showing in the Europa League final.
7. Taiwo Awoniyi — £2.6 million/year
Taiwo Awoniyi plays as a forward for Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League.
He earns £2.6 million per year (roughly £50,000 per week) and has a contract that runs until 2026. Signed by Liverpool in 2015 but unable to secure a work permit, Awoniyi spent years on loan across Europe before joining Union Berlin and eventually moving to Forest in 2022.
8. Calvin Bassey — £2.3 million/year
Calvin Bassey plays for Fulham in the English Premier League. He earns £2.34 million per year (approximately £45,000 per week), with his deal set to run through 2027. Bassey came through Leicester City’s youth system, moved to Rangers in 2020, then spent a season at Ajax before joining Fulham in 2023.
9. Ola Aina — £2.08 million/year
Ola Aina plays for Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League. He earns £2.08 million per year (around £40,000 per week), with his current contract running until June 2025 following a one-year extension. Aina came through Chelsea’s academy and spent time at Torino in Serie A before joining Forest in 2023. He has been a consistent presence in Nigeria’s national team.
10. Victor Boniface — €2 million/year
Victor Boniface plays for Bayer Leverkusen in the German Bundesliga and currently earns around €2 million per year (about €38,462 per week), making him one of the highest-paid Nigerian footballers in 2025. Boniface began his professional career at Bodø/Glimt in Norway, then moved to Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium before signing for Leverkusen in 2023.
Click here to see what other people are saying about this article on Instagram
