Victor Osimhen reveals university dream: 7 Super Eagles heroes who combined books & football

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has shared his dream of earning a university degree after retiring from football, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Galatasaray forward has made it clear that education remains a personal goal despite reaching the highest level of the game.

Osimhen spoke during an interview with Instablog TV, where he reflected on his journey from dropping out of school to becoming Nigeria’s most valuable footballer in history. While football has transformed his life, the 27-year-old believes learning should never stop.

“As an adult, not everything I learned in school. There are some kinds of life lessons you encounter through life’s journey,” Osimhen said.

The Nigerian forward explained that a football career does not last forever, making it important for players to prepare for life after retirement.

“For me, it would be an amazing thing to also try to get a degree, which I’m still considering because football, you won’t play for so long, probably 20, 25 years, and then you’re done.”

Osimhen, who has enjoyed success with Napoli before becoming a key figure at Turkish giants Galatasaray, said obtaining a university degree would not be about making money but about setting the right example.

“In as much as I have a lot of things to fall back to when I’m done, I think it’s still important for me to set an example, to set a standard for the younger generation.”

The striker also encouraged young people whose education was interrupted by financial difficulties or personal problems, reminding them that returning to school is always possible.

“Even though you dropped out due to some kind of challenges you have, it’s something you can always go back to. School is always there,” he said.

“I’d love to go back to school and earn a degree because football only lasts 20–25 years. I already have investments, but I want to prove you can drop out, become successful, and still return to school to finish your education.”

— Victor Osimhen pic.twitter.com/5bobEKjW1b

— carter🌚 (@carter8f) July 13, 2026

Super Eagles icons who successfully combined football with education

Segun Odegbami: The ‘Mathematical’ winger

Few Nigerian footballers represent the link between education and sport better than Segun Odegbami. Nicknamed “Mathematical” because of his precise style of play, Odegbami studied Mechanical Engineering at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, earning his OND in 1972 and HND in 1976 while starring for IICC Shooting Stars.

During that period, he helped Shooting Stars win Nigeria’s first African Cup Winners’ Cup title in 1976 before captaining the Green Eagles to the country’s historic first Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 1980. After retirement, he founded the Segun Odegbami International College and Sports Academy (SOCA) in Ogun State, where young athletes combine quality education with elite sports training.

Adokiye Amiesimaka: The lawyer known as ‘Chief Justice’

Adokiye Amiesimaka proved that studying law and playing international football could go hand in hand. While reading Law at the University of Lagos, he represented the university at the 1976 NUGA Games and also earned his first Green Eagles invitation.

The exciting winger later featured for Rangers, Sharks and ACB FC before winning the 1980 AFCON title with Nigeria. He also represented the country at the Moscow Olympics. His legal achievements earned him the famous nickname “Chief Justice,” while his post-football career saw him become Rivers State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

Seyi Olofinjana: Engineer, footballer and football executive

Former midfielder Seyi Olofinjana graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering from LAUTECH in 2002 while building his football career with Crown FC and Kwara United.

His performances at university competitions helped him gain international attention before he moved to Europe, where he played for clubs including SK Brann, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stoke City, Hull City, Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday.

Education remained important throughout his career. He later completed a Master’s degree in Project Management, another Master’s in Sport Directorship and eventually earned a UEFA Pro Licence. His qualifications later helped him become Sporting Director at Grasshopper Club Zürich and Head of Talent Recruitment for Chelsea’s African operations.

Wilfred Ndidi: Super Eagles star with a university degree

Beşiktaş midfielder Wilfred Ndidi quietly enrolled at De Montfort University in 2019 while playing in the Premier League.

Rather than spending all his free time gaming, Ndidi chose to study Business and Management. He graduated in 2022 after balancing lectures with daily training sessions and competitive matches.

The Super Eagles midfielder has often explained that football careers are short and education provides security for the future. His long-term ambition is to establish a football academy in Nigeria where young players can receive quality education alongside football development.

Sunday Oliseh: Education shaped his football philosophy

Sunday Oliseh grew up in a family that placed huge importance on education before he became one of Africa’s finest midfielders.

The former Super Eagles captain earned a degree in Physical and Health Education from Lagos State University and later completed advanced business studies after retiring. Alongside starring for Ajax, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund, Oliseh also secured the prestigious UEFA Pro Licence.

His passion for education has remained strong through coaching, football analysis and public speaking, including his well-known TEDx talk titled Education Made the Difference.

Taiwo Awoniyi: Learning never stopped

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi continued studying while playing across Belgium, Germany and England.

He completed a Higher National Diploma in Business Administration and Marketing Management before earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management through online learning. He also continued into MBA studies and later enrolled in the Professional Footballers’ Association Sporting Directorship programme.

Awoniyi has repeatedly said he pursued education to honour the sacrifices his parents made while raising him. Through his academy projects, he encourages young footballers to remain committed to their education.

William Troost-Ekong: From classroom to captain

Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong’s education journey began at Hockerill Anglo-European College in England, where his parents expected him to focus on academics.

Instead, he balanced boarding school with football training, eventually joining the Tottenham Hotspur academy. His decision to pursue football created disagreements within his family before his mother supported his dream by signing the academy documents.

Today, Troost-Ekong has turned that experience into a positive mission. Through the Troost-Ekong Foundation, he supports young Africans with educational opportunities, football scholarships, school equipment and programmes that allow talented youngsters to succeed in both the classroom and on the pitch.