In 2024, Nigerian athletes have shone brightly on the global stage, displaying extraordinary talent, resilience, and determination in various sports. Among their many achievements, Ademola Lookman’s prestigious win as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Footballer of the Year stands out as a significant milestone.
These athletes have not only set new records but have also solidified Nigeria’s reputation for excellence in sports like football, boxing, and athletics. Their outstanding performances have captured the world’s attention, demonstrating the power of grit and perseverance in overcoming challenges.
In a year filled with triumphs and unforgettable moments, Nigerian athletes once again proved their brilliance. To celebrate these remarkable achievements, Trending.ng brings you a list of 20 exceptional individuals who made a significant impact in 2024, making both themselves and the nation proud.
Here are the 20 most trending Nigerian athletes of 2024:
1. Ademola Lookman (Football)
Ademola Lookman, the prolific Nigerian forward, had a sensational 2024 season with Atalanta in Serie A. His exceptional performances not only secured Atalanta’s Europa League triumph, where he scored a stunning hat-trick in the final, but also earned him the prestigious CAF African Footballer of the Year award. This accolade made him the seventh Nigerian to claim the honour.
In addition to his club achievements, Lookman played a crucial role in Nigeria’s qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations, contributing three goals during the tournament and solidifying his position as one of the top talents in African football.
2. Chiamaka Nnadozie (Football)
Chiamaka Nnadozie has firmly established herself as one of the world’s leading goalkeepers in women’s football. For the second consecutive year, she won the CAF Best Goalkeeper award (2023 and 2024), a testament to her consistency and excellence on the pitch.
Nnadozie’s stellar performances were pivotal in Nigeria’s remarkable campaigns at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics, further enhancing her reputation as a goalkeeper of unmatched skill and composure.
3. Anthony Joshua (Boxing)
Anthony Joshua continued his dominance in the heavyweight boxing arena in 2024, cementing his legacy as a two-time world champion. Starting the year with a sensational knockout victory over Francis Ngannou at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Joshua’s success extended beyond the ring.
With career earnings exceeding $200 million and an impressive $75 million made in 2024 alone, he remains one of the highest earners in the sport. Joshua’s outstanding achievements earned him a nomination for “Boxer of the Year” at the inaugural British Boxing Awards in 2025. Beyond boxing, he is widely respected for his philanthropic efforts and commitment to giving back to his community.
4. Victor Osimhen (Football)
Victor Osimhen made headlines with a surprise move from Napoli to Turkish giants Galatasaray during the summer transfer window. The 25-year-old striker wasted no time proving his worth, scoring nine goals and providing five assists in just 12 matches across all competitions.
Amid swirling rumours of a potential mid-season transfer, Osimhen looks set to continue his impressive form with Galatasaray for the rest of the season, showcasing his exceptional talent and adaptability in Turkish football.
5. Kanyinsola Ajayi (Sprint)
Kanyinsola Ajayi emerged as a rising star in athletics in 2024. He began the year with a GOLD medal in the men’s 60m at the SEC Championships and later set a personal best of 10.01 seconds to claim Bronze at the NCAA Championship. Ajayi also contributed to Nigeria’s GOLD in the 4x100m relay.
Domestically, he won his first national title at Nigeria’s Olympic Trials with a time of 10.14 seconds. At the African Championships, Ajayi narrowly missed the podium in the 100m, finishing fourth, but helped Nigeria’s 4x100m relay team secure a Silver medal. At the Paris Olympics, he showcased his competitive edge by defeating reigning champion Marcell Jacobs in the heats and advancing to the semifinals.
6. William Troost-Ekong (Football)
As the captain of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, William Troost-Ekong displayed exceptional leadership and defensive brilliance throughout the 2023 AFCON tournament.
His outstanding performance earned him the prestigious Player of the Tournament title. In 2024, his remarkable achievements continued with a nomination for FIFA’s Best XI, solidifying his place as one of Nigeria’s most influential footballers.
7. Divine Oduduru (Sprint)
Divine Oduduru continued to shine as one of the world’s leading sprinters in 2024. Competing in the 100m and 200m events, he delivered impressive performances that contributed significantly to Nigeria’s success in relay competitions. His pivotal role in securing third place at a regional championship further highlighted his value as a team player and an elite athlete.
8. Victor Boniface (Football)
Victor Boniface is rapidly establishing himself as one of Europe’s top strikers. After scoring 20 goals in 33 league matches last season, he began the current campaign with six goals in just 10 appearances. With a total of 31 goals in 34 matches for Bayer Leverkusen, Boniface’s stellar form has attracted attention from major clubs, including Chelsea, making him a player to watch in European football.
9. Favour Ashe (Sprint)
Favour Ashe made headlines in 2024 as a rising star in sprinting. He became the first man globally to break the 10-second barrier in 2024, clocking 9.99s at the Pepsi Florida Relays. Ashe continued to impress by setting a personal best of 9.94s at the NCAA East First Rounds and playing a key role in Auburn’s success at the NCAA Championships.
At the Paris Olympics, Ashe reached the semifinals in the 100m, showcasing his incredible potential and solidifying his status as one of the sport’s brightest talents.
10. Chukwuebuka Enekwechi (Shot Put)
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi continued to dominate in shot put, achieving remarkable milestones in 2024. His personal best of 21.63 meters at the African Indoor Championships and a new Nigerian record of 21.91 meters at the Prefontaine Classic underscored his excellence.
Enekwechi’s consistent performances at the World Indoor Championships further solidified his reputation as one of the world’s top athletes in the discipline.
11. Samuel Ogazi (Sprint)
Samuel Ogazi emerged as one of Nigeria’s promising young sprinters in 2024. His standout performances included winning bronze in the 400m at the African Championships and setting a personal best at the Summer Olympics. Reaching the finals on the global stage, Ogazi’s remarkable progress has positioned him as a future star in athletics.
12. Favour Ofili (Sprint)
Favour Ofili made history in 2024 by breaking a 14-year-old African 300m record with an incredible time of 35.99s. She also delivered exceptional results in the 100m (10.78s) and 200m (22.33s), playing a crucial role in Nigeria’s qualification for the 4x100m relay at the Paris Olympics.
With her rapid ascent in women’s athletics, Ofili has firmly positioned herself as a formidable contender on the global stage.
13. Godson Brume (Sprint)
Godson Brume’s 2024 season was nothing short of extraordinary. He became the second Nigerian sprinter, after Favour Ashe, to qualify for the Olympics in the men’s 100m, achieving this feat with a 9.99s victory at the SEC Championships.
Although an injury kept him out of the Olympics, Brume’s role in securing silver for Nigeria in the men’s 4x100m relay at the African Championships highlights his immense talent and potential for future success.
14. Chidi Okezie (Sprint)
Chidi Okezie had a defining year in 2024, clinching his first international individual title with gold in the men’s 400m at the African Games in Accra. His winning time of 45.06s made him the first Nigerian man to secure this title since 1987.
Okezie also played a crucial role in Nigeria’s qualification for the Paris Olympics in the men’s 4x400m and mixed relay events. With a lifetime best of 44.97s achieved in Edmonton, he capped off the season as one of Nigeria’s most consistent performers.
15. Ese Brume (Track)
Ese Brume, Africa’s long jump record holder, maintained her dominance in 2024, continuing an undefeated streak on the continent that spans nearly a decade. She claimed her fourth African Athletics Championship title and delivered a 6.58m jump at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix.
At the Paris Olympics, Brume finished fifth, achieving Nigeria’s best performance in the event and reinforcing her status as one of the world’s elite long jumpers.
16. Rena Wakama (Basketball/D’Tigress)
Under the guidance of Rena Wakama, D’Tigress made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics, reaching the basketball quarterfinals for the first time. Wakama was named the Best Coach of the Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament, leading the team to impressive wins, including an upset victory over Australia. This historic achievement marked D’Tigress as the first African team, male or female, to reach the Olympic basketball quarterfinals.
17. Folashade Oluwafemiayo (Paralympics)
Folashade Oluwafemiayo made history at the 2024 Paris Paralympics by breaking the world record in para-powerlifting, further solidifying Nigeria’s dominance in para-sports. Her achievements, alongside the Nigerian Paralympic team’s haul of seven medals (two gold, three silver, and two bronze), were a testament to Nigeria’s continued excellence on the world stage.
18. Kennedy Nzechukwu (Mixed Martial Arts)
Kennedy Nzechukwu emerged as one of Nigeria’s brightest stars in mixed martial arts in 2024. The “African Savage” recorded two consecutive knockout victories, marking a significant rise in the MMA world. His performances were a bright spot for Nigeria’s combat sports scene, which had seen some setbacks with the decline of other stars.
19. Samson Dauda (Bodybuilding)
Samson Dauda had a career-defining year in 2024, claiming victory at the Mr. Olympia competition. Dauda’s journey from competing at the Arnold Classic UK and US Men’s Open to winning bodybuilding’s most prestigious title marked a monumental achievement for Nigerian athletes in the sport.
20. Consider Ekanem (Sprint)
Consider Ekanem has emerged as one of Nigeria’s top sprinting talents, with standout performances at regional and international meets. Ekanem set personal bests in both the 100m and 200m, finishing in the top three in various competitions and securing a spot on the national team for the 2024 Olympics.
Final Thoughts
The year 2024 has been a defining one for Nigerian athletes, with both triumphs and challenges shaping their journeys. From breakout performances on the global stage to overcoming setbacks, these athletes have showcased resilience, talent, and determination.
As the country continues to nurture and support its sports stars, there is hope that future editions of the Olympics, international championships, and local competitions will bring even greater success.
