Who is the highest-paid player in Nigeria's premier league 2023? Top 10 list

Who is the highest-paid player in Nigeria's premier league 2023? Top 10 list

Lewis Injai, Cyprine Apindi
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:55 PM

Football is among the most commonly spectated and loved sports in Nigeria. Nigeria's highest level of football league system is the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), also known as Nigeria Premier League. The league signs the most elite footballers, who receive handsome payments. Discover the highest-paid footballer in the Nigeria Premier League today.

highest paid player in Nigeria's premier league
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Many people want to know who the highest-paid footballer in the Nigeria Premier League is and how much they earn. It is known that elite international footballers are among the wealthiest people globally. What of NPFL players?

The highest-paid footballer in the Nigeria Premier League: top 15

Nigeria league players' salaries vary depending on the footballer's experience, stats, and the teams' financial abilities. Generally, newer professional players earn significantly less than their seasoned counterparts. Find out the top 10 highest-paid players in the NPFL.

10. Anthony Okpotu - ₦400k pm

  • Full name: Anthony Okpotu
  • Date of birth: 3rd March 1994
  • Age: 29 years (as of 2023)
  • Position: Forward/ centre-forward
  • Place of birth: Makurdi
  • Current team: Al Masry SC

Anthony Okpotu is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Al Masry SC and the Nigeria national team. Before joining Al Masry SC, he played for Lobi Stars of the NPFL and earned about ₦400k monthly.

9. Ikechukwu Ezenwa - ₦600k pm

Who is the highest-paid player in the Premier League in 2023?
Ikechukwu Ezenwa posing for pictures indoors and outdoors. Photo: @ikechukwu.ezenwa (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Ikechukwu Vincent Ezenwa
  • Date of birth: 16th October 1988
  • Age: 34 years (as of 2023)
  • Position: Goalkeeper
  • Place of birth: Yenagoa
  • Current team: Katsina United FC

Ikechukwu Ezenwa is Katsina United FC's goalkeeper. He pockets about ₦600k monthly. He began his professional football career with the Ocean Boys before moving to Heartland FC in July 2008. He joined his current team in 2019.

8. Austin Oladapo - ₦700k pm

  • Full name: Augustine Tunde Oladapo
  • Date of birth: 27th July 1995
  • Age: 27 years (as of 2023)
  • Position: Midfielder
  • Place of birth: Abuja
  • Current team: TP Mazembe

Austin Oladapo is a midfielder for TP Mazembe, a team he joined in 2022. Before then, he played for Enyimba, Gombe United, Kwara United, and Ifeanyi Ubah. His monthly salary is about ₦700k.

7. Cyril Olisema - ₦700k pm

  • Full name: Cyril Chinedu Olisema
  • Date of birth: 4th March 1995
  • Age: 28 years (as of 2023)
  • Position: Attacking midfielder
  • Place of birth: Delta State
  • Current team: Akwa United

Cyril Olisema has grown his reputation as one of the best creative midfielders in the Nigeria Professional Football League. The attacking midfielder has a monthly salary of about ₦700k.

6. Tosin Omoyele - ₦700k pm

highest-paid footballer in the nigeria premier league
Tosin Omoyele posing for pictures. Photo: @tosin_omoyele (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Tosin Omoyele
  • Date of birth: 3rd August 1996
  • Age: 26 years (as of 2023)
  • Position: Striker/ forward
  • Place of birth: Lagos
  • Current team: Ligue Professionnelle 1

Tosin Omoyele started his career at City of David (COD) academy in 2012. He made his first-team debut for COD's first team in 2015. Omoyele is currently signed with Ligue Professionnelle 1. He previously played for Osun United FC, where he made about ₦700k monthly.

5. Namso Edo - ₦700k pm

  • Full name: Namso Edo
  • Date of birth: 20th May 1984
  • Age: 38 years (as of 2023)
  • Position: Centre-forward
  • Place of birth: Benin City
  • Current team: FC Vallorbe-Ballaigues

Namso Edo is currently signed with FC Vallorbe-Ballaigues. He previously played for Shooting Stars FC of the NPFL. His monthly pay was about ₦700k.

4. Gambo Mohammed - ₦850k pm

Who is the highest-paid Nigerian footballer in 2023?
Gambo Mohammed smiling for pictures. Photo: @gambo_mohd_09 (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Muhammad Gambo
  • Date of birth: 10th March 1988
  • Age: 35 years (as of 2023)
  • Position: Forward
  • Place of birth: Kano
  • Current team: Katsina United FC

Muhammad Gambo is a footballer who plays for Katsina United FC as a forward. He previously played Kano Pillars and Abuja FC. Post-2015, his career graph dipped due to injury. Gambo makes about ₦850k monthly.

3. Ifeanyi Anaemena - ₦900k pm

How much is the highest-paid player in the Nigeria Premier League?
Ifeanyi Anaemena posing for pictures. Photo: @anaemena (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Ifeanyi John Anaemena
  • Date of birth: 16th February 1992
  • Age: 31 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Awka
  • Position: Centre-back/ defender
  • Current team: Al-Nahdah FC

Ifeanyi Anaemena previously played for Rivers United of the NPFL until 1st October 2021 before joining Al-Nahdah FC. He made ₦900k monthly at Rivers United. His salary in his new team is probably higher.

2. Godwin Obaje - ₦1 million pm

  • Full name: Godwin Obaje
  • Date of birth: 12th March 1996
  • Age: 27 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Kaduna
  • Position: Striker/ forward
  • Current team: Enugu Rangers

Godwin Obaje takes home about ₦1 million monthly. He is a sought-after footballer who previously played for Abia Warriors, Kairouan, and Trenčín.

1. Theophilus Afelokhai - ₦1.2 million pm

nigeria league players' salaries
Theophilus Afelokhai posing for selfies. Photo: @afelokhaijoeltheophilus (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Joel Theophilus Afelokhai
  • Date of birth: 7th April 1988
  • Age: 34 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Auchi, Edo State
  • Position: Goalkeeper
  • Current team: Rivers United FC

Theophilus Afelokhai joined Rivers United FC in 2020. He previously played for Enyimba FC and Kano Pillars. He is the top-paid footballer in the NPFL, earning ₦1.2 million monthly. The goalkeeper was part of the Nigeria squad for the 2018 African Nations Championship.

Recap of the top 10 highest-paid footballers in the Nigeria Premier League

Rank

Name

Monthly salary

1

Theophilus Afelokhai

₦1.2 million

2

Godwin Obaje

₦1 million

3

Ifeanyi Anaemena

₦900k

4

Gambo Mohammed

₦850k

5

Namso Edo

₦700k

6

Tosin Omoyele

₦700k

7

Cyril Olisema

₦700k

8

Austin Oladapo

₦700k

9

Ikechukwu Ezenwa

₦600k

10

Anthony Okpotu

₦400k

Who is the highest-paid player in the Premier League in 2023?

Kevin De Bruyne makes £400,000 per week, placing him as the highest-paid player in the Premier League. He has incredible shot power, accurate passes, and an eye for goal.

Who is the highest-paid Nigerian footballer in 2023?

The highest-paid Nigerian footballer per week is Odion Ighalo. Ighalo earns £130,000 a week at Machester United, making him the highest-paid Nigerian player in the world.

Who is the highest-paid in the Nigeria Premier League in 2023?

Theophilus Afelokhai is the top-earning footballer in the NPFL, taking home ₦1.2 million monthly. He joined Rivers United FC in 2020.

How much is the highest-paid player in the Nigeria Premier League paid?

The top-paid player in the NPFL earns a monthly salary of ₦1.2 million. His name is Theophilus Afelokhai.

How much is a Nigerian footballer's salary?

There is no set pay for Nigerian footballers. The salaries vary widely depending on the team, experience, and other terms and conditions of the contract.

Who is the lowest-paid player in the NPFL?

It is challenging to pinpoint the lowest-paid player in the NPFL because many footballers starting their professional careers seldom disclose how much they earn.

Who is Plateau United's highest-paid player?

There is no official information about Plateau United's players' salaries in 2023. As a result, the amount the highest-earning footballer earns is unknown.

How much is a Kano Pillars' player's salary?

The salary a Kano Pillars player earns depends on experience, the team's ability to pay, and specific terms and conditions stipulated in the player's contract.

The highest-paid footballer in the Nigeria Premier League takes home over a million Naira. Is your favourite Nigerian footballer on the list?

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Authors
Lewis Injai photo
Lewis Injai
Cyprine Apindi photo
Cyprine Apindi
Cyprine Apindi is a content creator and reporter with over 4 years of experience based in Kenya. She holds a Diploma in Mass Communication from Kenyatta University.