It’s no longer secret that the world’s finest football superstars get paid millions for just appearing weekly for their clubs.
Nigeria, Africa’s highest exporter of football talents and fourth in the world, is not left out of this fruitful venture.
Unlike the past where they earn peanuts at their foreign clubs, Nigerians now compete equally with their European colleagues both on and off the pitch.
Here are the top five highest paid Nigerian footballers presently in the world.
- Obafemi Martins – £100k
Well-travelled striker, Obafemi Martins, unsurprisingly lead the big guns with a weekly allowance of around £100,000. The 31-year-old became one of the highest paid footballers in the world following his move to Chinese club, Shanghai Shenhua in February. His switch from Seattle Sounders saw him double his previous earning to around £6million annually.
- Kelechi Iheanacho – £85K
Kelechi Iheanacho might just be 19 but he is presently the highest paid Nigerian ever in Europe. His recent contract with Premier League giants, Manchester City, took his pay from a merger £18,000 to £85,000 weekly. This has seen him dethrone the likes of Mikel Obi, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Nwankwo Kanu and Austin Jay-Jay Okocha as the highest paid Nigerian to play in Europe.
- Mikel Obi – £75K
For many years, Super Eagles skipper, Mikel, held the crown as the highest paid Nigerian in the world. The 29-year-old midfielder, who joined Chelsea in 2006 as teenager, had his wages quadrupled to £75,000 six years later when he signed a five-year deal.
- Ahmed Musa – £60K
Just below his superior is Super Eagles deputy skipper, Ahmed Musa, who earns a whooping £60,000 weekly at Premier League champions, Leicester City. The speedy winger joined the Foxes for a club-record £18million from CSKA Moscow and was made one of the highest earners at the club behind the likes of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez.
- Victor Moses – £50K
Completing the top five earners is another Chelsea player, Victor Moses. The 25-year-old joined the Blues in 2013 from Crystal Palace but signed a new four year deal last season, taking his weekly earnings to £50,000.
