Today in global sports, social media is a fundamental tool for players to connect and relate with their fans everywhere. Like any other nation, Nigerian footballers are no exception, many of these players have a massive following on social media, one being Instagram.
Below is a list of the top most followed Nigerian footballers on Instagram.
- Henry Onyekuru – 5.1 million followers
Henry Onyekuru’s omnipresent display and committed playing style extend straight to his social media platforms. The former Galatasaray, Monaco, and Everton player has built an engaging following, thanks to his captivating content and strong personality.
Onyekuru’s Instagram feed is filled with insights into his personal life, training routines, and match highlights, giving his fans a glimpse into the life of a professional footballer. He has over 5.1 million Instagram followers, making him top our list of the most followed Nigerian players.
Onyekuru is a serial winner, with Anderlecht he won the Belgian Super Cup in 2017. With Galatasaray, the Lagos-born striker won the Süper Lig in the 2018–19 season and also the Turkish Cup. He also won the Super League Greece in the 2021–22 season with Olympiacos.
- Victor Osimhen – 5 million followers
Victor Osimhen, a rare African A-list striker, is one of the most exciting players in world football today. He has taken the football world by storm with his impressive performances on the field, and his Instagram following has grown exponentially as a result.
Osimhen’s Instagram feed is a testament to his goal-scoring abilities over the years, beating defenders and goalkeepers with ease with his powerful runs into the eighteen-yard box and scoring for fun. The Super Eagles frontman’s Instagram feed also includes football highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and personal updates.
Osimhen has won many team and individual accolades, among which are a Serie A trophy with Napoli while in Italy 2022–23, in Galatasaray a Süper Lig and Turkish Cup, both 2024–25. With the Super Eagles, he won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2015, Africa U-23 Cup of Nations also in 2015. He was also an Africa Cup of Nations runner-up in 2023, and third place in the year 2019. His 5 million followers ensure he is only the second most followed Nigerian footballer on the platform.
- Ahmed Musa – 1.6 million followers
Thanks to his predatory and memorable display against Iceland on the grandest stage of all, Ahmed Musa almost single-handedly contained Iceland in a group stage must-win encounter in the 2018 World Cup. That single performance, among many others, made him one of the most popular and influential Super Eagles players.
A record setter, Musa became the first Super Eagles player to score more than once in a single World Cup match after scoring twice against Argentina. He didn’t stop there, as another record followed in the next edition of the FIFA World Cup. His brace against Iceland made him the first Super Eagles player to score in two consecutive World Cup competitions.
Two records and counting, Musa is also the most capped Super Eagles player since 2021 with 111 appearances. It is safe to say that Musa has built himself a significant following on Instagram. The former Leicester City player has used the platform to share his insights on football, showcase his skills on the field, and give his fans a glimpse into his personal life. Musa’s Instagram feed is engaging and entertaining, making him one of the most followed Nigerian footballers on the platform, along with his 1.6 million followers.
While plying his trade in Russia, Musa won the Russian Premier League three times with CSKA Moscow (2012–13, 2013–14, 2015–16 seasons) and the Russian Cup in the 2012–13 season. Also the Russian Super Cup in 2013 and 2014.
In Saudi Arabia, while playing for Al-Nassr, he won the Saudi Pro League in the 2018–19 league season and the Saudi Super Cup in 2019.
And finally with the national team, he won the African Youth Championship in 2011, the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013 (winner, runner-up in 2023, third-place finish in 2019), and the WAFU Nations Cup in 2010 (winner).
- Mikel Obi – 1.6 million followers
With 91 appearances for the Super Eagles, John Obi Mikel is one of the most capped players of the nation. A legendary Super Eagles player and one of the most successful Nigerian footballers of all time.
Mikel appeared in a whopping five Africa Cup of Nations tournaments representing Nigeria, with a winners’ medal in 2013. His retirement from professional football doesn’t stop Mikel from appearing among the most followed Nigerian footballers on Instagram.
Obi Mikel used his Instagram to make live match predictions, match analysis, and share his opinions on clubs, players, coaches, and almost everything connected to the beautiful game. With 1.6 million followers, had he not retired, Mikel could have topped this list with ease.
Plying his trade with Chelsea in England, Mikel won two Premier League titles, four FA Cup titles, a Champions League in 2012 alongside fellow African player and Chelsea legend Didier Drogba. He won the Football League Cup twice and a Europa League in 2013, making him one of the most decorated African players.
- Alex Iwobi – 1.2 million followers
Alex Iwobi’s playmaking abilities continue to capture the hearts of Premier League and Super Eagles fans alike. A player who is not shy to share his insights week in and week out.
The Everton midfielder has used the platform to share his thoughts on football, display his skills, and like many other players on this list, Iwobi also gives his fans a glimpse into his personal life.
Another intresting thing is that, Iwobi’s Instagram feed is always entertaining; with 1.2 million Instagram followers, he is among the most followed Nigerian footballers on the platform. With Arsenal, Iwobi won the FA Cup in the 2016–17 season, the FA Community Shield twice in 2015 and 2017. Also the EFL Cup runner-up in 2017–18 and UEFA Europa League runner-up in 2018–19 seasons respectively. With the national team, Iwobi was an Africa Cup of Nations runner-up in 2023 and had a third-place finish in 2019.
- Odion Ighalo – 1.2 million followers
The Ekpoma-born forward, Odion Ighalo, is another prolific goal-scorer, like Victor Osimhen, on this list. His goal-scoring exploits in the Middle East have easily helped him build a significant following on Instagram. The Al Wehda star, like many players on this list, used the platform to share his thoughts on football, showcase his skills on the field, and give his fans an insight into his personal life. Ighalo’s Instagram feed is full of fun and entertaining content; with 1.2 million followers, he is one of the most followed Nigerian footballers on the platform.
While playing for Watford in England, Ighalo’s team was runner-up for the Football League Championship. In China, while representing Shanghai Shenhua, he won the Chinese FA Cup in 2019. In Saudi Arabia, with Al-Hilal, he won the Saudi Pro League in the 2021–22 season and the King Cup in 2022–23, then was AFC Champions League runner-up in 2022 and FIFA Club World Cup runner-up also in 2022. With the national team, he represented Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations with a third-place finish in 2019.
- Kelechi Iheanacho – 699,000 followers
Kelechi Iheanacho is another talented player on this list. With his magical left leg, possessing strong sharp shooting as well as quick dribbling abilities as an attacking midfielder or a winger, it is easy to see why Iheanacho has captured the hearts of many Nigerians. His 699,000 Instagram followers must have a lot of fun seeing his matchday highlights, watching his analysis, and team news on the beautiful game.
The Owerri native of Imo State has the following honors to his name: while plying his trade at Manchester City, he won a Football League Cup. At Leicester City, he won the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield. With the national team, he was an Africa Cup of Nations runner-up in 2023.
- Wilfred Ndidi – 680,000 followers
Wilfred Ndidi is a dynamic and highly skilled holding midfielder who has built a massive following on Instagram. Ndidi manages his Instagram feeds with brilliance and great vision, the same vision he uses to dominate midfield battles in the English Premier League on a weekly basis. Ndidi’s feed, like many on this list, is full of match highlights, team news, match analysis, and some insights into his personal routines as a professional football player.
