EXCELLENT! This is the List of 10 Most Philanthropic Nigerian Footballers
1. Nwankwo Kanu Nwankwo Kanu, one of Nigeria’s most decorated international football players, has played for top clubs like Portsmouth, Arsenal, and Ajax and captained the Nigerian national team. Despite a cardiac diagnosis, Kanu’s football career flourished, inspiring him to establish the Nwankwo Kanu Heart Foundation (KHF) in 2000. KHF has provided over 500 successful heart surgeries for children in Nigeria and across Africa, offering them free operations and lifelong care.
Kanu’s charitable efforts extend beyond healthcare. Through the Kanu Hope Foundation, he has improved access to quality education in local communities. The Kanu Charity Foundation, founded in 2008, supports natural disaster victims, while the Kanu Nwankwo Football Academy, established the same year, promotes sports development in Nigeria. Kanu’s legacy is not only as a legendary footballer but also as a humanitarian who serves as a role model for others.
2. Obafemi Martins Obafemi Martins, known for his remarkable football skill, founded a charity in 2012 to improve the lives of underprivileged individuals in Nigeria and other African countries. He has built clinics, donated medical supplies, and supported health initiatives. Martins annually provides scholarships for Nigerian students from primary education through university.
His Obafemi Martins Foundation has distributed over 500 wheelchairs and crutches in a year and collaborated with the Asisat Oshoala Foundation to assist those in poverty. Martins’ commitment to helping impoverished children with healthcare and education is a testament to his character, despite facing obstacles and injuries throughout his career.
3. Asisat Oshoala Barcelona’s star player Asisat Oshoala founded the Asisat Oshoala Foundation in Lagos State in 2019. The foundation offers scholarships, educational resources, and mentorship programs to support disadvantaged girls in Lagos. The Asisat Oshoala Football Academy, launched in 2017, trains young women for professional football, helping them develop their skills.
Oshoala also advocates for cancer awareness and participates in public health campaigns. Her dedication to philanthropy and staying grounded despite fame and wealth is commendable. Her foundation’s annual Secondary School Football Clinic in Lagos trains students in football fundamentals.
4. John Obi Mikel Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel is celebrated for his charitable contributions. He launched his charity in 2012 to help the homeless and donated N1 million to the Red Cross during the Ebola outbreak in 2018. Mikel has supported various community service projects and the World Food Programme.
Mikel partnered with Vyootopia to drive social impact activities under SEERIE (Safeguard, Educate, Empower, Rebuild Communities, Inspire, Entertain). He also set up a pitch and a school in Jos, Nigeria, impacting numerous lives. The John Obi Mikel Academy in Lagos nurtures young football prospects.
5. John Utaka Former Nigeria and Portsmouth striker John Utaka founded the John Utaka Foundation to empower young Nigerians. The foundation provides scholarships, work placements, and vocational training. It also supports arts, culture, and sports activities and alleviates poverty by providing basic amenities.
The foundation’s mission is to create a brighter tomorrow by educating and empowering today’s marginalized youth. It offers scholarships, job placements, and positive activities to stimulate development and reduce poverty.
6. Joseph Yobo Joseph Yobo, former Nigeria national team captain, is known for his charitable spirit. He founded the Joseph Yobo Charity Foundation in 2007, offering over 300 educational scholarships and establishing a football academy in the Ogoni region. Yobo also manages football camps in Lagos and supports charity homes in Port Harcourt.
His foundation provides scholarships, football clinics, and talent scouting to help develop players on and off the pitch. Yobo’s contributions to education and sports development in Southern Nigeria are significant.
7. Ahmed Musa Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa is a philanthropist committed to education and community support. He has offered scholarships worth N1.6 billion to 100 students at Skyline University and regularly donates food, money, and essential items to his region. Musa opened a N500 million sports complex in Kano and a multi-million naira sports complex in Kaduna State, providing world-class training facilities and creating employment for thousands of youths.
He also donated N100 million to 5,000 widows and underprivileged women in Plateau State. Musa’s charitable deeds have earned him praise and appreciation from Nigerians.
8. Chioma Ajunwa Chioma Ajunwa-Opara, Nigeria’s first female Olympic gold medalist, established the Chioma Ajunwa-Okpara Foundation in 2017. The foundation develops young Nigerian athletes and sponsors the Secondary Schools Under-16 Athletics Championship in partnership with the Abia State government. Ajunwa-Opara also campaigns against drug use in sports and promotes fair competition.
Her foundation provides scholarships, youth empowerment programs, and support for young athletes. Ajunwa-Opara’s efforts have helped many young athletes pursue their goals.
9. Odion Ighalo Odion Jude Ighalo, a forward for Al-Wehda and the Nigerian national team, founded the Ighalo Orphanage Home in Lagos. Inspired by his own challenging upbringing, Ighalo invested $1.4 million to create a nurturing environment for orphaned children. The home provides education and sports training, empowering children to overcome their circumstances.
The orphanage houses 30-40 children, offering them academic and athletic instruction until they turn 18. Ighalo’s desire to improve the lives of those with difficult beginnings drives his philanthropic efforts.
10. Efe Ambrose Efe Ambrose, a versatile defender for Queen of the South, is known for his community contributions in Delta State. In 2015, he donated N500,000 to the Nigerian Red Cross Society to combat Ebola. Ambrose has supported hospitals and educational institutions in Delta State and provided financial aid to the Delta State Football Academy and Football Association.
He has sponsored football tournaments and constructed a football field in Warri, his hometown. Ambrose also supports the Delta State chapter of the Nigerian Cancer Society, contributing to various community initiatives.
