As the world changes, change is constant, and so too must people and the masses evolve and adapt to the shifts life has to offer at any given time. This is precisely the case with the “Super Falcons,” Nigeria’s national football team for women. This article presents the ten most followed Nigerian female footballers who ply their trades in many countries across the globe.
These ten brilliant and hardworking athletic women share one thing in common, they are either Nigerians or their roots trace back to the giants of Africa. They embrace digital change, as the current world we live in is all about clicks and likes, and against all odds, they are the most followed on Instagram, a feat unmatched by any other woman to have ever worn the Super Falcons’ famous green shirt.
1. Asisat Oshoala – 1.1 million followers
Club: Bay FC (formerly Barcelona Femení)
Asisat Oshoala is a legendary women’s player, a name that echoes in the ears of many, especially women’s football fans and those following the beautiful game alike.
Oshoala was born on October 9, 1994, in Ikorodu, Lagos State. When we talk about Asisat Oshoala, we are talking about a football warrior who turned into a living legend. From the dirt pitches of Ikorodu to the green grass of Spain, and now plying her trade in the United States, she carries herself boldly. After all, “fortune favors the bold,” and so too does it favor Oshoala. Oshoala is like someone born to rewrite history from the start, and you know what? She did just that. She is a six-time African Women’s Player of the Year, and the first Nigerian to score in a UEFA Women’s Champions League final. She is not just a footballer; she is like a full movement. Her Instagram page is a pure feast, often religious; you will always find the name “God” in her captions, goals in her reels, and motivation in her throwbacks. That is how she became the first Nigerian female footballer to pass 1 million Instagram followers.
2. Chiamaka Nnadozie – 113,000 followers
Club: Paris FC, now Brighton & Hove Albion
Chiamaka Nnadozie is an Igbo girl born on December 8, 2000, in Owerri, Imo State. Nnadozie developed from grassroots clubs, and her formal schooling information is not widely publicized. Nnadozie is a goalkeeper who does not only stop balls, she also stops hearts. She is a calm but fierce goalkeeper whom strikers dreaded meeting. Her soft smile and sharp hands won her many hearts. In the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, she was just 18 and already saving penalties, and it is not surprising they dubbed her “the wall.” Her Instagram is not loud like others, but it is real. She posts match day routines, her glorious gloves, team photos, and quiet reflections with Bible verses. She is not chasing clout, she is not loud; it is simple, she is just focused, and people feel that.
3. Michelle Alozie – 125,000 followers
Club: Houston Dash, Super Falcons
Houston Dash striker Michelle Alozie, the third entry in this exclusive list, was born on April 28, 1997. She is a U.S.-based Nigerian, a beauty with brains and ball all in one: a scientist and a striker. Why so? Because Michelle Alozie graduated from Yale University with a degree in Molecular Biology, and that is the scientific part. She went viral after showing both fire, dedication, resilience, and focus during the 2023 Women’s World Cup. That strong and reliable combo for any serious footballer got fans rooting for her hard. Her Instagram is all about a young female football warrior meeting the digital world. And what do you expect? You will see her in braids, in Nike boots, or chilling with teammates with captions like “God’s plan” or “Ready for the smoke.” Fans love her mix of class and chaos.
4. Onome Ebi – 159,000 followers
Onome Ebi is the oldest player on this list of ten most followed Nigerian female footballers. She is here because she is simply a legend. Ebi was born on May 8, 1983, in Lagos where she received early football development in Nigerian academies. Currently, she has no club, but her status as a legendary defender will never be forgotten. She is old-school and the gold standard. Onome Ebi has played in five Women’s World Cups, making her one of the oldest Nigerian women to still represent the country. Her strength comes from experience, and respect follows her name. Instagram-wise, she is still the queen, a fading force, but a strong one for that matter. Her posts and feeds typically revolve around flashbacks or throwbacks from glorious days, motivational quotes, and coaching mentoring aspiring young female footballers who dream big.
5. Toni Payne – 64,000 followers
Club: Sevilla, Spain
The Sevilla ace, Toni Payne, is a Nigerian footballer born on April 22, 1995. She is also a U.S.-based Nigerian. She graduated from Duke University. Toni was once part of the U.S. youth team before she made the switch to join Nigeria. At her young age, her elegance defines both her football and her Instagram presence. Her footwork on the field is soft but deadly. On Instagram, she is all athletic as well as classic. Her photos, video short clips are all classical and memorable.
6. Esther Okoronkwo – 7,000 followers
Club: Currently plays in Canada
One of the calmest players on the pitch among the members of this list, at number six, is Esther Okoronkwo. Okoronkwo was born on March 27, 1997, in Delta State. She attended Lamar University (USA). Esther possesses this soft power; her touch on the ball is sweet and calm, but her shot can tear a net. She has played across different countries and brings different entertaining stuff every time. She is like that player who might not always be a starter, but is always dangerous when called upon. Her Instagram handle is cheerful; her posts include food, training selfies, and sometimes short videos of prayers and worship. Fans love her for keeping it clean and classy; there is no excessive display, no excessive filtering.
7. Halimatu Ayinde – 6,300 followers
Club: FC Rosengård (Sweden)
FC Rosengård midfielder, Halimatu Ayinde, was born on May 16, 1995, in Kaduna State. She rose through football ranks from many football academies. Halimatu is like that midfielder you do not notice until you check the score line and realize she owned the whole game. She is not one who talks too much, but she always does the work. She has been there for the Falcons in so many games where she delivered cool and sharp performances that even the most devoted game follower might lose count. Her Instagram is full of training pictures, calm selfies, and sometimes just quiet motivational lines like “Do not stop.”
8. Deborah Abiodun – 5,200 followers
Club: Pittsburgh Panthers (USA), Super Falcons
Deborah Abiodun, a promising future football star, was born on January 2, 2003, in Lagos State. Balancing football with tertiary education, Deborah is the new fire, the kind of footballer who just enters the pitch, and you already see the spark. She made her big mark in the 2023 Women’s World Cup with tackles that shook even the opponent’s coach. She is young, but plays like someone from another era. Her Instagram feed is simple footballer-student stuff. Some days she is on the field in full kit; other times, she is in her dorm with a laptop open. Training sessions, match highlights, and personal selfies are also there.
9. Oluwatosin Demehin – 2,600 followers
Club: Stade de Reims (France)
Club Stade de Reims player Oluwatosin Demehin was born on March 13, 2002, in Oyo State. Oluwatosin had exposure to local football academies from a young age. She might not have the biggest name yet, but her legs are doing the talking for her. She is a tall defender with long strides and a sharp mind. She has been part of the Super Falcons for a while, and with fans in France already calling her “the wall,” this speaks volumes. Her Instagram is basically cool, or warm, call it what you will. Most of her pictures are in kits, tracksuits, or just candid smiles with teammates. She is not trying to go viral; she is just enjoying the journey.
10. Rasheedat Ajibade – 1,190 followers
Club: Atletico Madrid (Spain)
Last but never least is Rasheedat Ajibade, a Lagos State-born defender. She was born on December 8, 1999. Rasheedat trained through FC Robo Academy in Lagos. Rasheedat is one of the coldest players on the pitch. She might look unique with her blue hair, but one thing is certain: she scores big goals and carries herself with confidence. Surprisingly, her Instagram is still small, perhaps because she is selective about what she posts. But when she does, it is always a hit. Intense training sessions, blockbuster goals, and memorable goal celebrations are all checked.
Asisat Oshoala might be leading with millions and international spotlight, but even the ones with 2,000 followers have their own flame. Their fans are not just random clickers; they are loyal ones. They engage, they wait for posts, and also support them in wins and losses. These women are showing up on fields, on phones, and in dreams. And their stories are still just beginning.
