Forbes Nigeria’s Wealthiest Footballers: Top Ten 2024 Richest Footballers In Nigeria, Net Worth, Cars They Own

• Nigerian footballers are some of the footballers across the globe who have achieved immense success through their craft.
• Some of these players are among the highest-earning players in their field.
• Many of these Nigerian footballers do not only earn through football salaries, but through other endorsement deals they sign up for.

Nigerian has some of the most talented footballers who have achieved remarkable success in their field. These footballers are some of the highest-grossing in their field, and for many of them, it has taken them lots of time to perfect their craft, leading them toward the immense success they enjoy to date.

While many of them earn from football majorly, some others, also earn from brand partnerships and endorsement deals. These Nigerian footballers also earn through other businesses they’ve established over time.

Here are the top 10 richest footballers in Nigeria

In this article, we’ll be looking at the top 10 richest Nigerian footballers as of 2024, their net worth, and some of the luxury vehicles that make up that collection.

John Mikel Obi — $52 Million

John Mikel is the richest and most popular Nigerian professional footballer who currently plays as a Defensive Midfielder for Nigeria Super Eagles, Nigeria national football team. He is the Nigerian national team’s most devoted and longest-serving captain and has been considered a football legend after playing for Chelsea and the Nigerian team for many years.

As a popular footballer, he has won several awards, including a silver medal at the 2013 African Cup of Nations and a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics. He has the most success at the club level with Chelsea, winning two English Premier League titles, three FA Cup titles, one UEFA Champions League title, one Europa League title, one Turkish Cup, and many more.

Some of the cars he currently has in his collection include:

• Mercedes Benz E-class ($75,000)

The Mercedes E-class is quiet and subdued. It has a beautifully appointed and remarkably quiet interior that is fitted with flashy technology features such as the dual displays embedded in its dashboard. The E350 sedan is equipped with a common turbo four but the E450 has a sweet turbocharged six. The strong and smooth mill is available in the sedan and is standard on the coupe and cabriolet. Even though there are power plants, all body styles supplement their classy interiors with a cushy and composed ride.

• Range Rover Sport ($60,000)

All versions of the Range Rover Sport come standard with all-wheel drive and Land Rover’s renowned off-road capability, which is a luxury in and of itself. The Sport’s luxury-lined cabin is comfortable and roomy, except for the third row, which only has room for children. An inline-six turbocharged engine provides sufficient power for zipping around town or merging onto the highway. The Land Rover Range Rover Sport comes in three trim levels; SE, HSE Silver Edition, and HST. These variants range in price, and other standard features are similar with little to no substantial changes.

• 2010 Bentley Continental GT ($180,000)

The 2010 Bentley Continental GT comes with an impressive interior design, where rich cowhide, gleaming wood, and classic analogue instrumentation combine to create a perfectly opulent environment. Under the hood, the all-wheel-drive Bentley receives a twin-turbocharged W12 power plant courtesy of parent company Volkswagen, a distinctive-sounding engine that generates gargantuan low-end torque.

• Rumoured Rolls Royce

While it’s unconfirmed, many fans have rumoured that the popular Nigerian footballer and the richest of all the footballers in Nigeria owns a Rolls-Royce. While it’s expected, because the Rolls-Royce is a vehicle mostly spotted by the ultra-wealthy, it remains unconfirmed if he owns one.

Odion Ighalo — $40 Million

Currently, Odion Ighalo is the 2nd richest soccer player in Nigeria. He is one man who has built his football career gradually until he finally reached the peak after he moved to Manchester United on a loan move from China.

Today, he is a proud player for the Manchester United football club. His career has been inspirational since starting at Julius Berger in Lagos State. He represented Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup. He emerged as the footballer with the highest number of goals in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, leading Nigeria to the third position.

• White Range Rover Velar worth 50 million

Odion Ighalo owns a white-coloured Range Rover Velar. The Range Rover Velar was introduced in 2018. The Land Rover has been trying to manufacture a new variant that is in between the subcompact Evoque which was introduced in 2021 and the typical Land Rover Range Rover. That was how the Range Rover Velar came about. 

The design of the Velar is the most dramatic visual update to the brand’s iconic look both interior and exterior. The base Velar is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. Also included are an eight-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system. 

• Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, also called the G-Wagon, is a mid-size four-wheel drive luxury SUV that is sold by Mercedes-Benz. The G-Wagon has a body-on-frame construction and body styling.

The development of the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon started in the late 1970s with construction focused on off-road capabilities, alongside maximum safety and comfort. It was first developed as a military vehicle and some countries in the world were using it for their military and naval force but this vehicle’s strong presence, impressive stance, super drive, and amazing off-road abilities soon appealed to individuals, and the civilian version was offered in 1979. Despite the brand’s extreme prices, the sale of this vehicle continues to climb as the years go by. 

Obafemi Martins — $37 Million

Obafemi Martins is another popular footballer. Known mostly as “Obagoal,” he is on the top list of the richest Nigerian footballers. He plays as a forward for the Chinese Super League side Wuhan Zali.

After leaving Nigeria at age 16 to play in Italy, he has since played for several European clubs. Some of the cars Obafemi Martins owns include:

• Mercedes-Benz SLR

Originally sold as a coupe, the SLR later also added the roadster model. A joint venture between F1 team McLaren and Mercedes, the SLR uses a carbon-fiber monocoque and has a supercharged V-8 engine. It’s one of just a few cars that can offer wind-in-the-hair motoring at 200 mph.

• McLaren 

McLaren will always be best known for its motorsport activities, but it also has a growing range of high-performance cars designed to challenge the likes of Ferrari and Porsche.

Most McLaren models share two key components: a central tub made out of carbon fiber and a powerful V8 petrol engine. 

• Mercedes-Benz G-class

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, also called the G-Wagon, is a mid-size four-wheel drive luxury SUV that is sold by Mercedes-Benz. The G-Wagon has a body-on-frame construction and body styling.

The development of the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon started in the late 1970s with construction focused on off-road capabilities, alongside maximum safety and comfort. It was first developed as a military vehicle and some countries in the world were using it for their military and naval force but this vehicle’s strong presence, impressive stance, super drive, and amazing off-road abilities soon appealed to individuals, and the civilian version was offered in 1979. Despite the brand’s extreme prices, the sale of this vehicle continues to climb as the years go by. 

• Lamborghini Aventador

Lamborghini belongs to an exotic breed of cars classified as a car for the elite or the super-rich. Ferruccio Lamborghini founded Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A in 1963. Seeing the economic state of Nigeria, one would have thought no Nigerian could own a Lamborghini. However, Lamborghini car models have been spotted among Nigerians, especially celebrities like Obafemi Martinis who owns the Aventador.

• Bentley Bentayga

The Bentley Bentayga is the direct opposite of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Available in the Nigerian market, and severally spotted on Nigerian roads. The Bentayga is the perfect choice for those interested in vehicles that levitate on the road, equipped with loads of luxury but are willing to manage their poor fuel economy.

Ahmed Musa — $20 Million

The popular Nigerian footballer Ahmed Musa is a native of Borno state and Muslim faithful. He plays as a forward and left winger for Al-Nassr, a Saudi-Arabian team, and the Nigerian National team, Super Eagles.

In 2014, he became the first Nigerian footballer to score more than one goal in the 2014 FIFA World Cup match against Argentina. In FIFA 2018, he scored twice against Iceland in the group stage. 

At 30 years old, Ahmed has grown and acquired a lot of wealth through football. Some of his cars include:

• Mercedes-Benz CLS

The mid-size luxury car, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLS450, compromises functionality for aesthetics, and it looks gorgeous. A sumptuous interior and a sensual atmosphere can be found inside its shapely exterior, at least for those occupying the front two seats. The sedan’s coupe-like roofline contributes to the aforementioned tradeoffs in the passenger room, and its tiny trunk is another drawback that owners of the Audi A7 hatchback won’t encounter. Mercedes equips the CLS450 with a 362-hp six-cylinder engine that is electronically boosted, making it as responsive as it is smooth. All-wheel drive, a stunning digital dashboard with a feature-rich infotainment system, and numerous driver aids are additional standard features on every model.

• 2017 Porsche Macan

The 2017 Macan has an exceptionally well-crafted cabin, with materials that have an upscale look and feel (which get even nicer should you start opting for some of the extended leather options). The dashboard layout mirrors many other modern Porsche designs, with triple dials for the instruments, a flat dash top, and a centre console that looks as if it belongs in a Learjet. Also, three new trim levels are added to the Porsche Macan lineup for 2017: a new base model with a four-cylinder turbocharged engine, a sport-oriented GTS model, and a top-of-the-range Macan Turbo with a Performance package.

• Range Rover Sport

All versions of the Range Rover Sport come standard with all-wheel drive and Land Rover’s renowned off-road capability, which is a luxury in and of itself. The Sport’s luxury-lined cabin is comfortable and roomy, except for the third row, which only has room for children. An inline-six turbocharged engine provides sufficient power for zipping around town or merging onto the highway. The Land Rover Range Rover Sport comes in three trim levels; SE, HSE Silver Edition, and HST. These variants range in price, and other standard features are similar with little to no substantial changes.

• Range Rover Velar

The Range Rover Velar was introduced in 2018. The Land Rover has been trying to manufacture a new variant that is in between the subcompact Evoque which was introduced in 2021 and the typical Land Rover Range Rover. That was how the Range Rover Velar came about. 

The design of the Velar is the most dramatic visual update to the brand’s iconic look both interior and exterior. The base Velar is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. Also included are an eight-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system. 

• Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, also called the G-Wagon, is a mid-size four-wheel drive luxury SUV that is sold by Mercedes-Benz. The G-Wagon has a body-on-frame construction and body styling.

The development of the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon started in the late 1970s with construction focused on off-road capabilities, alongside maximum safety and comfort. It was first developed as a military vehicle and some countries in the world were using it for their military and naval force but this vehicle’s strong presence, impressive stance, super drive, and amazing off-road abilities soon appealed to individuals, and the civilian version was offered in 1979. Despite the brand’s extreme prices, the sale of this vehicle continues to climb as the years go by. 

Emmanuel Emenike — $16 Million

Another Nigerian footballer on the top list of richest Nigerian footballers is Emmanuel Emenike. He has had an interesting career in football across the globe. His journey has come with ups and downs as a professional, but he has remained relentless.

Some of the luxury cars owned by Emmanuel Emenike include:

• Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, also called the G-Wagon, is a mid-size four-wheel drive luxury SUV that is sold by Mercedes-Benz. The G-Wagon has a body-on-frame construction and body styling.

The development of the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon started in the late 1970s with construction focused on off-road capabilities, alongside maximum safety and comfort. It was first developed as a military vehicle and some countries in the world were using it for their military and naval force but this vehicle’s strong presence, impressive stance, super drive, and amazing off-road abilities soon appealed to individuals, and the civilian version was offered in 1979. Despite the brand’s extreme prices, the sale of this vehicle continues to climb as the years go by. 

• Range Rover Sport SUV

All versions of the Range Rover Sport come standard with all-wheel drive and Land Rover’s renowned off-road capability, which is a luxury in and of itself. The Sport’s luxury-lined cabin is comfortable and roomy, except for the third row, which only has room for children. An inline-six turbocharged engine provides sufficient power for zipping around town or merging onto the highway. The Land Rover Range Rover Sport comes in three trim levels; SE, HSE Silver Edition, and HST. These variants range in price, and other standard features are similar with little to no substantial changes.

Victor Moses — $13 Million

Victor Moses is another wealthy Nigerian footballer with a net worth of $26 million. Despite the trauma of losing both parents in a brutal riot in Kaduna, he has managed to scale through life and soar in his career.

His football expertise has landed him several opportunities, influencing his wealth. Some of the vehicles owned by the footballer include:

• Mercedes-Benz AMG G63

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, also called the G-Wagon, is a mid-size four-wheel drive luxury SUV that is sold by Mercedes-Benz. The G-Wagon has a body-on-frame construction and body styling.

The development of the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon started in the late 1970s with construction focused on off-road capabilities, alongside maximum safety and comfort. It was first developed as a military vehicle and some countries in the world were using it for their military and naval force but this vehicle’s strong presence, impressive stance, super drive, and amazing off-road abilities soon appealed to individuals, and the civilian version was offered in 1979. Despite the brand’s extreme prices, the sale of this vehicle continues to climb as the years go by. 

• Aston Martin

The Aston Martin is one vehicle that epitomizes Aston’s brand values better than any other. Massively potent twin-turbo V12 up front, rear-drive, 2+2 layout inside. The Aston Martin is a supercar that’s mostly found in the possession of those who are into sports and love sporty vehicles.

• Ford Edge

The notable Ford Edge is a standard midsize SUV with a modest passenger volume and cargo utility, a fuel-efficient turbocharged engine, and a futuristic infotainment display system that nests most competitors when it comes down to the nitty-gritty of use, preserving its high quality and style even after a long period.

• BMW I8

Hybrid sports cars are increasingly common thanks to electricity’s performance-enhancing qualities, but the BMW i8 is more about looking fast than going fast. BMW offers a single powertrain in the i8. It mates a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder gas engine with an 11.6-kWh battery pack and two electric motors. The trio of power sources combines for a total of 369 horsepower, capable of driving all four wheels.

• Ferrari 458 Italia

Few supercars have aged so gracefully; the 458 remains thrilling, engaging, and deeply desirable today. Sold as Ferrari’s final naturally-aspirated mid-engined V8 model, the 458 is undoubtedly a future classic. Of course, the ultra-focused Speciale is the ultimate and remains one of the finest driver’s cars of all time, but the standard 458 Italia is still an outstanding supercar.

Victor Anichebe — $12 Million

Victor Anichebe is a Nigerian professional footballer who played as a striker. He is currently a free agent, having recently played for Beijing Enterprises. At age 15, he made his reserve-team debut for Everton and his first-team debut less than two years later, on 27 February 2006.

The money he earned playing for Beijing Enterprises in China has made him a wealthy man today. 

• Rolls Royce Phantom worth ₦‎150 Million

The Rolls-Royce Phantom is a full-size luxury sedan manufactured by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. It is currently in its eighth generation which started in 2017. It is usually offered in two-wheelbase lengths. The Rolls-Royce Phantom is an ultra-luxury V12-powered sedan that is available in regular and long-wheelbase body styles. This posh vehicle blends British heritage with German components and technology, as the Rolls-Royce brand is owned by another automobile company, BMW. The Phantom goes against the Bentley Mulsanne and Maybach Type 57 while the long-wheelbase model goes against the Maybach Type 62. 

Kelechi Iheanacho — $12 Million

Kelechi Iheanacho is another top Nigerian footballer who is a forward for Premier League club Leicester City and the Nigerian national team. In August 2017, the striker signed a contract with Leicester City that got him a salary of 3.6 million Euros per year.

Some of the cars owned by Kelechi Iheancho include:

• BMW i8

The BMW i8 is a Hybrid sports car. Today, Hybrid sports cars are increasingly common thanks to electricity’s performance-enhancing qualities, but the BMW i8 is more about looking fast than going fast. BMW offers a single powertrain in the i8. It mates a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder gas engine with an 11.6-kWh battery pack and two electric motors. The trio of power sources combines for a total of 369 horsepower, capable of driving all four wheels.

• Mercedes C300

The Mercedes-Benz C-class is amongst the list of luxury small car segments. It has a posh interior that is composed of driving dynamics and refined engine options. It has an elegant interior that includes high-grade materials. The engine is also more refined and powerful than ever before. A new standard nine-speed automatic transmission, a rear-view camera that is included in the base model, and an available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are the latest features of the Mercedes-Benz C300. The only problem is that it has a complex infotainment system and low predicted reliability rating which are the things that keep it from ranking higher. But in all, it is easy and comfortable to drive.

• Range Rover Sport

All versions of the Range Rover Sport come standard with all-wheel drive and Land Rover’s renowned off-road capability, which is a luxury in and of itself. The Sport’s luxury-lined cabin is comfortable and roomy, except for the third row, which only has room for children. An inline-six turbocharged engine provides sufficient power for zipping around town or merging onto the highway. The Land Rover Range Rover Sport comes in three trim levels; SE, HSE Silver Edition, and HST. These variants range in price, and other standard features are similar with little to no substantial changes.

Wilfred Ndidi — $11 Million

Next on the list of the richest footballers in Nigeria is Iheanacho’s club teammate, Wilfred Onyinye Ndidi.

According to Salary Sport, the Leicester City defensive midfielder currently earns £76,000 every week at Leicester and has earned a whopping £23 million from football salaries over the course of his career.

Ndidi is also involved in businesses, and he gets paid for endorsement deals.

• Wilfred Ndidi Cars

Ranked as the number one footballer in Nigeria at the moment, it is only right that he acquires cars that befit his status regardless of his age. From what is known of Wilfred Ndidi, he is not a flashy person nor is he an extravagant person.

He currently owns a BMW X3, which he has been pictured in Lagos. He bought the above Mercedes-Benz car for his wife but from various reports, he is the proud owner of only one car.

Alex Iwobi – $10 million

Alex Iwobi is the 10th richest footballer in Nigeria for 2023, with an estimated net worth of £6–10 million.  The Nigeria international currently plays for Everton in the Premier League and earns an impressive £100,000 a week, which amounts to £5,200,000 per year, for his job as a midfielder for the Merseyside outfit. Iwobi was previously at Arsenal, where according to reports, he earned £53,000, or £2.7 million a year.

Here’s a breakdown of cars owned by Alex Iwobi:

• 2021 Mercedes G-Wagon

The Mercedes-Benz G-wagon is a vehicle that combines luxury with impressive performance. This vehicle is mostly owned by almost every wealthy person. One of the most special things about the Mercedes G-Wagon 2021 is that it has a 7G-tronic gearbox, an impressive ground clearance of 9.25 inches, and permanent all-wheel drive allowing it to handle even some of the most difficult off-road situations. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon is powered by a 4.0L Twin turbo V8 making 416 horsepower which it sends to all-four wheels via the 9-speed automatic transmission. This combination is enough to get the G-Class to 60 miles per hour in just 5.6 seconds, making the boxy SUV incredibly and surprisingly quick.

• Mercedes-Benz S-Class Convertible (₦25 million)

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class convertible is a luxury ride that comes with plenty of driver assistance features, and an impressive infotainment system. Only a few cars combine open-top luxury with as many high-tech features as the Mercedes S-Class. Experts note that It has a superbly comfortable and achingly posh interior and, as a bonus, looks gorgeous. The Mercedes S-Class convertible is powered by a V12 engine, that produces a smooth ride although it consumes a lot of fuel. This vehicle is popularly driven amongst wealthy young people, and Alex Iwobi happens to own one that’s worth N25 million.

• BMW 7 series

The BMW 7 series is one of the top luxury lineups owned by BMW. The vehicle comes with a comfort-first driving feel and a spacious cabin with loads of features. You can get it with a turbocharged inline-six, a plug-in hybrid, or a twin-turbo V-8, but no matter which engine is under the hood, the 7-series delivers a glassy-smooth ride and a hushed interior perfect for long-distance treks.

• Range Rover

Another vehicle that Alex Iwobi owns is the Range Rover which is another popular luxury SUV found in the possession of the wealthy. The selling price of the latest model Range Rover starts at about N150 million upwards. It’s said that Alex Iwobi owns a Range Rover amongst his growing list of luxury car collections.