Despite the absence of medals at the Paris Olympic Games, Nigerian athletes continued to make a remarkable impact on the global stage in 2024, demonstrating their exceptional talents and achieving notable successes across various disciplines. At the forefront is Ademola Lookman, who was honored with the prestigious African Footballer of the Year award by the Confederation of African Football (CAF)
Ademola Lookman: Africa’s Best Footballer Of 2024
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman was crowned African Player of the Year at the 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco, marking a significant achievement in his career. He succeeded his national team partner, Victor Osimhen, as Africa’s best footballer, becoming the seventh Nigerian to win the prestigious title and continuing Nigeria’s strong legacy in the category following Osimhen’s victory last year.
Lookman’s remarkable year saw him play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s journey to their eighth Africa Cup of Nations final in February, scoring three goals and providing two assists. His standout. moment came in the Europa League final, where he delivered a stunning hat-trick to lead Atalanta to their first major title since 1963, securing a victory over Bayer Leverkusen in May. This exceptional performance capped off a season of brilliance, solidifying Lookman’s place among the continent’s elite.
Samuel Ogazi: A Rising Star In Nigerian Athletics
In 2024, Samuel Ogazi showcased his immense potential and proved himself as one of Nigeria’s brightest track and field talents. He kicked off the outdoor season with a personal best (PB) of 45.35s in Baton Rouge, which he later improved to 45.29s at the Tom Jones Invitational. Ogazi was also instrumental in helping Nigeria’s mixed 4x400m relay team qualify for the Paris Olympics, clocking a time of 3:12.87 at the World Relays in The Bahamas.
The Paris Olympics presented Ogazi with his biggest challenge yet, but he rose to the occasion with remarkable resilience. He secured 2nd place in the 400m with a lifetime best of 44.50s, earning a spot in the semifinals. Ogazi continued to impress in the semis, running an even faster 44.41s to finish 3rd and secure his place in the final. His performance made him the first Nigerian male to reach an Olympic 400m final in 24 years. In one of the most thrilling 400m races in Olympic history, Ogazi finished 7th, solidifying his place among the world’s elite sprinters
Favour Ashe: From Promising Talent To Olympic Semifinalist
Favour Ashe has made a remarkable journey from being a promising talent to an Olympic semifinalist in 2024. He began his season with a bang at the Pepsi Florida Relays, clocking 9.99s in the 100m, becoming the first man globally in 2024 to break the 10-second barrier and securing his spot for the Paris Olympics. At the NCAA East First Rounds, the 2022 Nigerian National 100m champion set a new personal best (PB) of 9.94s, winning the semifinals.
Ashe continued his impressive form at the NCAA Championships, running 9.99s to finish 2nd and helping Auburn secure a 2-3 finish, with teammate Kayinsola Ajayi claiming the bronze. His six sub-10s performances made him the Nigerian sprinter with the highest number of sub-10 runs. Ashe went on to make his Olympic debut in Paris, where he reached the semifinals of the men’s 100m, further solidifying his place among the world’s top sprinters.
Godson Brume: A Season Of Triumph, Promise
Godson Brume had an exceptional 2024 season, with many of his notable achievements coming within the NCAA circuit. He became the second Nigerian sprinter, following Favour Ashe, to qualify for the Olympics in the men’s 100m, securing his spot by winning the SEC title with a time of 9.99s. The LSU junior also finished 4th in the men’s 100m at the NCAA Championships and played a pivotal role in helping his team secure second place in the men’s 4x100m relay.
Brume represented Nigeria at the African Championships, where he reached the semifinals and anchored the 4x100m relay team to a silver medal. Although an injury during a High Performance camp prevented him from competing in the Olympics, Brume’s determination and talent highlight a promising future, with even greater achievements on the horizon.
Ese Brume: Africa’s Long Jump Queen And Global Trailblazer
Undefeated in Africa for nearly a decade, Ese Brume, the African record holder in the women’s long jump, continues to deliver outstanding performances for Nigeria. She started her season with a 6.58m jump at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, securing 3rd place. At the Howie Ryan Invitational, Brume set a new season’s best with a 6.84m leap.
Brume successfully defended her African Games title with a wind-aided 6.92m jump, followed by a 6.94m leap at the Chula Vista High Performance Meet. She made history by winning her fourth African Athletics Championship title, further solidifying her legacy. At the Paris Olympics, Brume helped Nigeria make history by placing three athletes in the women’s long jump final, finishing 5th—Nigeria’s best-ever performance in the event.
Chidi Okezie: A Breakthrough Year Of Achievement
Chidi Okezie, who has represented Nigeria for nearly a decade, experienced a career-defining moment in 2024 by winning his first-ever international individual title. He claimed gold in the men’s 400m with a personal best (PB) of 45.06s and also earned bronze in the men’s 4x400m relay at the African Games in Accra, Ghana. This victory made him the first Nigerian man to win the 400m title at the African Games since Innocent Egbunike in 1987.
Okezie continued his impressive form on the international stage, playing a key role at the World Relays in the Bahamas. There, he helped the men’s 4x400m and mixed 4x400m teams secure their places for the Paris Olympics, with the men’s team posting their fastest time in two decades—3:01.70. In June, Okezie broke the 45-second barrier for the first time, setting a new lifetime best of 44.97s in Edmonton, Canada. He went on to compete in both the 400m and men’s 4x400m at the Paris Olympics, marking the culmination of a remarkable season.
Victor Osimhen: A Strong Start At Galatasaray
After a prolonged transfer saga, Victor Osimhen made a surprising move from Napoli to Turkish giants Galatasaray on loan, becoming the sixth Nigerian to join the club. Few could have predicted that Osimhen’s offseason transfer drama would land him in Istanbul, but the 25-year-old has quickly made an impact, reminding Europe’s top clubs why he’s worth such a significant investment.
The Nigerian striker has been in exceptional form since his arrival in September, netting nine goals and providing five assists in 12 appearances across all competitions. Osimhen was a hot commodity during the summer transfer window, with Chelsea, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain all expressing interest in signing him. However, Napoli’s steep asking price led Al-Ahli to choose Ivan Toney instead.
Despite a break clause in his loan agreement that could allow for a January departure, Osimhen has reportedly committed to finishing the season with Galatasaray, determined to continue his strong performance in Turkey.
Alex Iwobi
Alex Iwobi has been a consistent force in Fulham’s midfield, playing a pivotal role for the team. This season, he made nine appearances in the Premier League, with two coming for Everton before his deadline-day move to Fulham. Known for his dribbling skills and aggressive ball-carrying, Iwobi has also found the back of the net once in two Carabao Cup appearances, continuing to impress with his dynamic playmaking abilities.
William Troost-Ekong
As captain of the Super Eagles, William Troost-Ekong made a significant impact at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), earning the prestigious Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for his leadership and performance. His exceptional displays on the field were further recognized with a nomination for FIFA’s 2024 Best XI, solidifying his status as one of Nigeria’s top football talents.
Victor Boniface
Victor Boniface has been a revelation since his move to Bayer Leverkusen, playing a central role in leading the team to its first-ever title. The striker scored an impressive 20 goals in 33 league appearances last season and has continued his stellar form into the current campaign, netting six goals in just ten matches. With 31 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions, Boniface is quickly emerging as one of Europe’s top forwards, attracting interest from elite clubs, including Chelsea.
Chiamaka Nnadozie
Chiamaka Nnadozie, the Super Falcons’ outstanding goalkeeper, further elevated her status by winning the CAF Best Goalkeeper award for two consecutive years (2023 and 2024). After playing a vital role in Nigeria’s 2024 Paris Olympics campaign and enjoying a standout season with Paris FC, Nnadozie’s incredible shot-stopping ability and leadership earned her the recognition as the best goalkeeper of the year. Her heroics in both club and international football continue to solidify her legacy as one of Africa’s finest goalkeepers.
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi has continued to dominate in the shot put, affirming his position as one of Nigeria’s premier athletes in the discipline. His performances at the World Indoor Championships and a personal best of 21.63 meters at the African Indoor Championships have been impressive. Enekwechi also set a new Nigerian record of 21.91 meters at the Prefontaine Classic, demonstrating his consistent drive and determination to excel on the world stage.
D’Tigress / Rena Wakama
Nigeria’s D’Tigress made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by reaching the basketball quarterfinals for the first time. Under the leadership of Murjanatu Musa, who averaged 10.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, the team showcased incredible defense and secured impressive victories, including a stunning win over Australia. Rena Wakama was named the Best Coach of the Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament, marking a remarkable turnaround for D’Tigress after their winless performance in Tokyo 2020.
Their victory over Australia, ranked number 3 in the world, by 13 points in their opening game was one of the biggest upsets of the Olympics. In their third match against Canada, D’Tigress clinched a win, making history as the first African team, male or female, to reach the Olympic basketball quarterfinals. From being the lowest-ranked team to advancing to the top eight, D’Tigress proved their resilience and determination.
Favour Ofili
Favour Ofili made history in 2024 by breaking a 14-year-old African record in the 300m, setting an astounding time of 35.99s. She had a standout season, with impressive times such as 10.78s in the 100m and 22.33s in the 200m, solidifying her as a key figure in Nigerian athletics. Her strong performances were instrumental in securing a consecutive Olympics entry for Nigeria in the 4x100m relay. With her rapid rise, Ofili is positioning herself as a top contender in global women’s athletics.
Nigeria’s Paralympic Heroics
Nigeria’s Paralympic team had a stellar performance at the 2024 Paris Games, bringing home seven medals—two gold, three silver, and two bronze—cementing their place as a dominant force in para-sports. Folashade Oluwafemiayo made history by breaking the world record in para-powerlifting.