Sports stars are among the highest-paid people on the planet, with superstars like Michael Jordan (basketball), Tiger Woods (golf), Arnold Palmer (golf), and Jack Nicklaus (golf) becoming billionaires thanks to their respective sports’ profits.
Many Nigerian athletes have acquired a fortune from the games they like, including football, basketball, athletics, boxing, and mixed martial arts (MMA).
Celebritynetworth.com estimates her net worth to be in the millions of dollars. Hakeem Olajuwon, a former NBA great who was born in Nigeria, is currently worth $300 million.
However, in this article, we’ll look at Nigeria’s highest-paid active athletes in every sport.
Odion Ighalo (£9.3 million) is a Nigerian footballer.
Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Odion Ighalo is now the highest-paid athlete in Nigeria. Although his contract with Al Hilal is unknown, it is thought that the striker, who joined Manchester United on loan from Shanghai Shenhua in China, is making more than he did at United.
After taking a wage reduction from the mouth-watering £300,000 he earned at the Chinese club, the striker earned £180,000 per week with the Red Devils.
Wilfred Ndidi (£3.9 million) is a Nigerian footballer.
Leicester City (England)
According to Spotrac.com, a reputable website dedicated on topics surrounding players’ contracts, salaries, transitions, and more, Nigerian and Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi earns a whopping £3.9 million each year.
Ndidi joined the Premier League side for £15 million in 2017 from Belgian league club Gent, and his strong performance earned him a contract review in 2018, which resulted in an automatic increase in his annual earnings.
In the summer of 2024, his contract will end.
Osimhen (£3.7 million)
Napoli (Italy)
After an excellent season with Ligue 1 side Lille, Victor Osimhen signed a five-year agreement with Napoli in the summer of 2020 for an African record €81 million.
The Nigerian international is one of Italy’s highest-paid footballers, with a salary of £3.7 million per year.
Should he leave Napoli for one of Europe’s elite clubs in the summer, the former Sporting Charleroi man might see his earnings rise.
£3.1 million Kelechi Iheanacho
Leicester City (England)
Kelechi Iheanacho is the fourth highest-paid Nigerian sportsman in the world, earning £3.1 million a year.
Iheanacho signed a three-year contract with Leicester City worth £9,360,000, with an annual average wage of £3,120,000.
The Foxes’ 25-year-old midfielder last renewed his contract on April 3, 2021. His contract with the club is set to expire in the summer of 2024.
Josh Okogie ($3 million)
Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA)
Josh Okogie of the D’Tigers is the first non-footballer to make the list of Nigeria’s highest-paid athletes.
The Minnesota Timberwolves signed Okogie, who was the 20th overall choice in the 2018 NBA draft, to a four-year, $11,430,344 contract, with an annual average salary of $2,857,586.
However, in the final year of his contract, 2021/22, his wages will increase to $4,087,904 on a salary basis.
Also see: Prominent athletes who died in 2020 Alex Iwobi (£2.6 million)
Everton (England)
Alex Iwobi’s £35 million transfer from Arsenal to Everton in the summer of 2019 set a Nigerian record, making him one of the highest-paid Nigerian athletes.
Everton offered Iwobi a five-year contract with an annual average salary of £2,600,000.
The contract of the 25-year-old is set to end in the summer of 2024.
Achiuwa Precious (£2.3 million)
Raptors of Toronto (NBA)
The Miami Heat selected Precious Achiuwa with the 20th overall choice in the 2020 NBA Draft.
The D’Tigers player had inked a four-year deal with the team worth $12,513,127, with an annual average pay of $3,128,282.
With his success for the Raptors this season and his contract set to expire in the next two seasons, the Port Harcourt native could be in line for a maximum rookie contract if he continues to impress.
Taiwo Awoniyi (£1.5 million) is a Nigerian footballer.
Berlin Union (Germany)
According to sportsbrief.com, the Nigerian earned £1.5 million after joining Union Berlin from Liverpool in the summer of 2021, making him the ninth highest-paid Nigerian player.
Awoniyi, who has 17 goals in 37 outings for the German side this season in all competitions, is being pursued by a few of Premier League clubs following his strong performance in the Bundesliga.
Chimezie Metu (£1.3 million) is a Nigerian footballer.
Sacramento Kings (NBA)
In the summer of 2021, he will join Union Berlin from Liverpool.
D’Tigers center D’Tigers was signed to a three-year contract by the Sacramento Kings after an excellent performance.
The contract comprises a guaranteed fee of $2,462,796 and a base income of $1,762,796 per year.
The San Antonio Spurs selected D’Tigers standout in the second round, 49th overall.
Gabe Vincent (£1.3 million) is a British footballer.
Heat of Miami (NBA)
Gabe Vincent, the captain of the D’Tigers at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is ranked 10th on the list of highest-paid Nigerian athletes.
According to spotrac.com, the Miami Heat guard earns £1.3 million ($1.7 million) every year.
Vincent, who went undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft, signed a two-way contract with the Heat in 2020, but after a strong performance with the three-time NBA champions, he signed a normal contract with the team in August 2021.
