2024 has been a thrilling year for Nigerian football, as the country’s brightest stars have not only dominated headlines but also etched their names in the annals of the sport.
From individual accolades that show their talent to club achievements that have rewritten history, these players have shown the world the depth of Nigeria’s footballing pedigree.
Here, we spotlight 10 of Nigeria’s finest footballers who have set 2024 alight.
10. Ola Aina
Ola Aina enjoyed a stellar 2024, excelling for both club and country in what was a memorable year for the versatile defender.
At AFCON 2023, the Chelsea academy graduate earned a spot in the Team of the Tournament following a string of standout performances.
His contributions were crucial as the Super Eagles kept four clean sheets in seven games.
At club level, Aina has become a cornerstone of Nuno Espírito Santo’s Nottingham Forest side this season. The defender has started all 18 Premier League matches for the Tricky Trees, scoring two goals and averaging an impressive 86 minutes per game. His consistency and impact have made him an indispensable figure in Forest’s setup.
9. Calvin Bassey
Bassey has continued to live up to his reputation as a defensive rock, solidifying his place in Fulham’s backline since his move from Ajax Amsterdam. The Nigerian international made an immediate impact at Craven Cottage, featuring prominently in Marco Silva’s setup.
In 2024, Bassey scored a memorable goal against Manchester United in a pulsating clash. His contributions helped Fulham secure a respectable 13th-place finish in the Premier League, with the defender starting 25 league matches during the 2023/2024 season.
This season, the Leicester City academy graduate has been ever-present for Fulham, missing just one of their 18 Premier League fixtures. At AFCON 2023, Bassey was equally indispensable for the Super Eagles, playing all seven of Nigeria’s games.
8. Wilfred Ndidi
The year 2024 saw Wilfred Ndidi rediscover his form. Injuries plagued the midfielder in recent years, but he roared back to prominence by helping Leicester City secure Premier League promotion.
With six goals and six assists, Ndidi enjoyed the most prolific season of his career, excelling under pressure in both defensive and attacking roles. Back in the Premier League, Ndidi continues to anchor Leicester’s midfield with his trademark work rate and positional awareness.
In this ongoing 2024/2025 season, the 28-year-old has been an ever-present figure in the Leicester squad and one of their standout performers. Defensively, Ndidi has been indispensable, registering 48 tackles in the league this season—the highest in the team.
7. Victor Osimhen
By his own lofty standards, it might not have been his best year, but Victor Osimhen’s numbers remain impressive. During the 2023/24 campaign, the striker netted 17 goals across all competitions for Napoli.
At AFCON 2023, he added one goal to his tally, though a string of disallowed strikes could have boosted his total to four. He also registered an assist during the tournament.
Since making a summer switch to Galatasaray in 2024, the 25-year-old has been in blistering form, contributing to 16 goals in just 15 appearances. Osimhen has scored 12 times and set up four more.
6. Maduka Okoye
Surprised to see him make the list? You shouldn’t be. While his involvement with the Super Eagles in 2024 has been limited to just one game, Maduka Okoye’s club form with Udinese has been nothing short of remarkable.
The German-born shot-stopper, who joined Udinese from Watford, has cemented himself as a key figure for the Serie A side. Since December 30, 2023, Okoye has featured in 36 of Udinese’s 37 matches across all competitions, missing just one game.
This season, the Super Eagles reserve goalkeeper has played in 14 Serie A fixtures, keeping three clean sheets and conceding just 21 goals. Notably, he has also saved one of three penalties faced.
5. Stanley Nwabali
Nwabali’s rise in 2024 was nothing short of remarkable. The Chippa United goalkeeper played a key role in Nigeria’s run to the AFCON final, conceding just three goals from open play across the tournament.
His heroics in the semi-final shootout win against South Africa were a top-class moment. Last season, the Nigerian goalkeeper made 29 appearances for Chippa United in South Africa’s DSTV Premiership, conceding 27 goals while registering an impressive 12 clean sheets.
The 28-year-old's consistency between the posts was instrumental in helping Chippa United secure a 12th-place finish in the 16-team league last season, and this term Nwabali has been fantastic in South Africa’s DSTV Premiership, keeping 4 clean sheets.
4. Alex Iwobi
Big 17, as Iwobi is fondly called, demonstrated why he remains one of Nigeria’s most reliable attacking midfielders.
At Fulham, he is at the heart of their Premier League campaign, contributing five goals and three assists by December 2024.
For Nigeria, Iwobi’s energy and ball-winning abilities came to the fore at AFCON 2023, where he was instrumental in breaking down attacks and controlling midfield battles.
At a point in 2024, Iwobi was tied with Kevin De Bruyne for open-play chance creation in the calendar year.
3. William Troost-Ekong
Captain Fantastic William Troost-Ekong was the heart and soul of the Super Eagles in 2024.
With Ahmed Musa absent, the experienced center-back led Nigeria to the AFCON final, where his towering presence and composure at the back earned him the Player of the Tournament award.
Troost-Ekong’s three goals during the competition—including a crucial winner against Ivory Coast, showed his ability to deliver on both ends of the pitch. His performance also earned him a nomination for the CAF Player of the Year award.
2. Victor Boniface
The Akure-born forward enjoyed a meteoric rise in 2024. Boniface was instrumental in Bayer Leverkusen’s first Bundesliga title since 1993, contributing 21 goals and 10 assists in a historic double-winning campaign.
His performances in the league and DFB-Pokal highlighted his all-round attacking skillset, making him one of Europe’s most in-demand forwards.
Although injury robbed him of a chance to feature in AFCON 2023, Boniface has returned stronger, already racking up nine goal contributions in the ongoing Bundesliga season. His growth trajectory suggests an even brighter future for this 24-year-old star.
1. Ademola Lookman
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman had an unforgettable 2024, emerging as the year’s best Nigerian player. His efforts were recognized with the prestigious CAF Player of the Year award, making him the second consecutive Nigerian to claim the honor after Victor Osimhen in 2023.
Lookman’s stellar form was pivotal in Atalanta’s historic Europa League triumph. In the final, he netted a hat-trick, helping the Italian side secure their first-ever European trophy.
On the international stage, Lookman shone at AFCON 2023, registering three goals and an assist as Nigeria reached the final. Finishing in the top 14 of the Ballon d’Or rankings further cemented his status as one of the sport’s elite.
