By Lawrence Agbo

Nigerian athletes have performed exceptionally well in different sports all around the world in 2024, boasting of outstanding accomplishments on international platforms, with the latest being Ademola Lookman winning the (CAF) African Footballer of the Year award.

These professionals have demonstrated the brilliance and tenacity that Nigeria is known for, smashing records in sports and ruling football leagues, boxing rings, and even rugby fields.

Here’s a look at the top 10 Nigerian athletes in 2024:

Ademola Lookman (Football)

Ademola Lookman, one of the top ten Nigerian athletes of 2024, has had an extraordinary year. The Atalanta forward, who shines in Serie A, enjoyed a stellar season that culminated in being named the 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Footballer of the Year, making him the sixth Nigerian to receive this prestigious accolade.

Lookman’s contributions were pivotal in Atalanta’s triumph in the Europa League, where he scored an unforgettable hat-trick in the final, sealing the team’s glory in the competition. His form also proved crucial on the international stage, as he netted three goals during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the Cote d’Ivoire, helping Nigeria secure a runner-up finish at the tournament.

Kanyinsola Ajayi (Sprint)

Kayinsola Ajayi is living his childhood dream, with an extraordinary 2024 athletic journey. He started strong, winning gold in the men’s 60m at the SEC Championships in February. His success continued outdoors, where he set a personal best of 10.01s to win Bronze in the 100m at the NCAA Championships and helped his team win gold in the 4x100m relay.

Ajayi claimed his first national title at Nigeria’s Olympic Trials with 10.14s, securing a spot at the African Championships, where he finished fourth, and anchored the men’s 4x100m team to Silver. At the Spitzen Leichtathletik Meet in Luzern, he set a PB of 10.00s. At the Paris Olympics, he stunned defending champion Marcell Jacobs to win his heat in 10.02s and reached the semi-finals, also competing in the 4x100m relay.

William Troost-Ekong (Football)

William Troost-Ekong, the captain of the Super Eagles, stole the spotlight with his exceptional performances at AFCON 2023. His leadership and skill on the field earned him the prestigious title of Player of the Tournament, as he guided Nigeria to one of its most successful AFCON campaigns in over a decade.

Troost-Ekong’s achievements didn’t stop there. Following his remarkable display at the continental level, the Nigerian defender earned a nomination for FIFA’s 2024 Best XI, further solidifying his status as one of the world’s top defenders.

Ese Brume (Track)

Undefeated in Africa for nearly a decade, Ese Brume, the African Record holder in women’s Long Jump, consistently delivers for Nigeria. She began her season with a 6.58m jump at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, securing 3rd place. At the Howie Ryan Invitational, she jumped 6.84m, setting a new season’s best.

Brume defended her African Games title with a wind-aided 6.92m leap, followed by a 6.94m jump at the Chula Vista High Performance Meet. She made history by winning her fourth African Athletics Championship title, cementing her legacy.

At the Paris Olympics, Brume helped Nigeria make history by placing three athletes in the women’s Long Jump final, finishing 5th, the country’s best performance in the event.

Anthony Joshua (Boxing)

Two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua is still regarded as a boxing legend worldwide. He made $75 million in 2024, placing him in the top three boxers of the year in terms of earnings, and has made over $200 million in his career, making him one of the biggest money-makers in the sport.

He defeated Francis Ngannou via knockout on March 8 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh to start 2024 and was on the shortlist for the first-ever British Boxing Awards’ “Boxer of the Year” prize in March 2025.

Along with his accomplishments as a boxer, he is well-known for his support of neighbourhood projects and charity efforts.

Victor Boniface (Football)

Nigerian forward Victor Boniface defied expectations and made impressive impact at Bayer Leverkusen following his surprising transfer to the German Bundesliga in 2023. Boniface was instrumental in Leverkusen’s remarkable 2023–2024 season, helping the club secure their first-ever Bundesliga title.

During that historic campaign, Boniface scored 20 goals in 33 league matches, showcasing his consistency and clinical finishing. In the ongoing 2024–2025 season, he has already netted six goals in 10 Bundesliga appearances.

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With 31 goals in 34 matches across all competitions for Leverkusen since joining them, Boniface has firmly established himself as one of Europe’s top attacking talents. His prolific form has drawn attention from elite clubs, including Chelsea, whose scouts are pushing for a move in 2025.

Chukwuebuka Enekwechi (Track and Field – Shot Put)

Since replacing Stephen Mozia in 2019, Nigeria’s shot put champion, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi has been a strong force in the shot put competition, continuously raising his Nigerian record. Additionally, he has made a name for himself as a multiple continental champion. Enekwechi finished sixth at the World Indoor Championships in 2024 and set the African Indoor Record with a throw of 21.63 meters.

He set a new Nigerian record with a throw of 21.91 meters at the Prefontaine Classic and successfully defended his title in the African Games. Enekwechi also placed sixth in the Olympic Men’s Shot Put Final and won the African Championship in Douala, Cameroon.

Chiamaka Nnadozie (Football)

Chiamaka Nnadozie has solidified her status as one of the world’s finest goalkeepers, achieving back-to-back victories as the CAF Best Goalkeeper in 2023 and 2024. Her performances for Nigeria at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics were nothing short of stellar, as she played a pivotal role in helping the Super Falcons reach remarkable milestones on the global stage.

In 2024, Nnadozie’s exceptional form continued both internationally and at the club level, earning her widespread acclaim. Her heroic saves, commanding presence, and leadership from the back have made her a key figure in African and global women’s football. Her achievements this year underscore her consistency and remarkable talent, cementing her legacy as a footballing icon for Nigeria.

Samuel Ogazi (Sprint)

Samuel Ogazi made a stellar mark in 2024 among other Nigerian athletes, starting with a PB of 45.35s in Baton Rouge and improving to 45.29s at the Tom Jones Invitational. He helped Nigeria’s mixed 4x400m relay team qualify for the Paris Olympics with a 3:12.87 at the World Relays.

Ogazi set a new PB of 44.58s at the SEC Outdoor Championships, becoming the fastest Nigerian male quartermiler in 37 years. He won the NCAA East Regionals in 44.53s and earned Silver at the NCAA Championships. At the African Championships, he claimed Bronze.

At the Paris Olympics, Ogazi made history, reaching the 400m final with a 44.41s run, finishing 7th, the best Nigerian male 400m Olympic result in 36 years.

Favour Ofili (Sprint)

One of the outstanding Nigerian athletes in 2024, Favour Ofili made history by breaking the 14-year-old African 300m record with 35.99s. She began her outdoor season with a wind-aided 10.85s and later ran the 3rd fastest time ever by a Nigerian in the 100m, winning at LSU with 10.78s.

She qualified for the Olympics with a 22.33s 200m win and helped Nigeria secure its 9th consecutive Olympics in the 4x100m relay. Ofili won her first National 100m title in 11.06s.

Though not in the 100m, she became the first Nigerian since 1996 to reach an Olympic 200m final, finishing 6th in 22.24s. Her 10.09s split in the 4x100m helped Nigeria place 9th, and her 22.05s semifinal time ranked her 7th fastest in the 2024 season.

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