Modern society considers athletes as one of the most influential people. In Time’s 2023 ranking, it is no surprise that six sports icons actually have made it through its prestigious rankings. These superstars have built their brands from scratch and are currently at the peak of their careers.

Playing on the world stage gave athletes not only a chance to take their sports careers to new heights, but also a platform for their causes. This gives them a voice to stand for the things they believe in and are passionate about. In addressing important social issues, the industry has a long way to go. Nonetheless, this is a great place to start.

Successful stars, most especially those coming from humble beginnings, are the perfect role models. Fans are able to connect with them on a deeper level because of the challenges they have faced. These experiences make these larger-than-life icons more human and very relatable.

Let’s have a look at some Nigerian athletes who not only became international sensations, but also brand ambassadors. Here are their journeys and accomplishments.

Jay-Jay Okocha

Augustine “Jay-Jay” Okocha is a legendary professional footballer. Many consider him as one of the best exports of Africa. He played for the national team of Nigeria more than 70 times. Also, he even became a three-time member of FIFA World Cup Series squads.

He began his football career at the Enugu Rangers. People took notice of his unique talent and skills. He even caught the attention of international clubs. Okocha played for several clubs in various world-renowned leagues. This sealed his status as one of the best African and Nigerian players who ever graced the world stage.

In spite of retiring in 2008, he still managed to secure deals and became a brand ambassador for many companies. His legacy made him a magnet for different brands. Therefore, giving him the title of King of Endorsements in Nigeria. His overall net worth in 2023 is about $15 million.

Okocha became the face for business giants such as Coca-Cola, Nike, Heineken, and Xiaomi. He also secured a partnership with Glo, Bajaj, Bullet, Kwik, and “33″ Export Lager Beer. However, his partnership with BetKing named him the king of the game.

BetKing is one of the most well-known online sports betting sites. As it entered the scene in 2018, it established partnerships with iconic players. Having Okocha as its ambassador made it easier for them to dominate the Nigerian market.

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To sum up, Okocha is an epitome of perseverance and passion. Sports enthusiasts all over the world greatly respect him as an athlete and as an individual.

Asisat Lamina Oshoala

Another sought-after footballer is Asisat Lamina Oshoala. Considered the best female African and Nigerian footballer of all time, she currently plays for the national team and FC Barcelona. She also gained recognition as a five-time awardee of the African Women’s Footballer of the Year. This makes her deserving of the nickname “Agba Baller”, meaning the legendary footballer

In spite of her young age, she already managed to be on top of the game. She sits together with other Nigerian legends as she became a member of the Order of the Niger in 2014. Named as one of 2021’s Forbes 30 Under 30, she remains to be one of the world’s best.

When Oshoala started playing football, her parents were not as supportive as she would hope for. This is probably what drives her to launch her foundation, Football4girls, in 2019. With an aim to empower young football players, the foundation holds annual tournaments in Africa.

Because of her achievements, many brands compete in making her their ambassadress. Among her endorsements, Nike is the most well-known. Her other brand deals include MultiChoice Nigeria, Emzor Paracetamol, Payporte, and Capital Oil.

With an estimated 2023 net worth of $5 million, Asisat Oshoala’s football future seems to be truly bright. Fans have so much to watch out for.

Tobi Amusan

Nigerian sprinter, Oluwatobiloba Ayomide “Tobi” Amusan, is a champion and world-record holder in 100-metre hurdles. In 2023, she is the current African, Commonwealth, and World victor. What makes her momentous win even more special is that she is the very first Nigerian to acquire such accomplishments.

Her love for track and field started when she was young. She won her first medal in the African Youth Championships back in 2013. Since then, she continuously bagged trophies after trophies.

However, the accomplishment that really put her on the map is her record-breaking performance at the 2022 World Athletics Championships. She clocked in with an unprecedented record of 12.12 seconds in the semi-finals, setting the world record.

While in the finals, she again shattered her own record with a 12.06 seconds run. Unfortunately, this did not qualify as a world record due to the 2.5 metre per second wind assist. This secured her place as the world’s number 1 in 2022.

However, there are some who question her massive world record. As the previous record stood for 42 years, it was quite hard to understand for some critics. Add the fact that there’s quite a big margin from her previous African record. Despite the doubts, she remains humble and continues on working hard.

So, it is no surprise that brand deals come in from left and right. She signed deals with telecom giant Glo and PremiumTrust Bank. Flutterwave and Plug Sports both struck brand and marketing deals with her as well. Having said that, it was Adidas that sponsored her even before she set her astonishing world record.

Reports suggest that her estimated net worth is $5 million.

Nwankwo Kanu

One of the most well-loved players in Nigeria is Nwankwo Kanu. This pro footballer played in many international teams and acquired a $9 million net worth. His greatest accolades include medals from the FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, Olympics, and of course, the African Player of the Year.

Kanu’s phenomenal journey landed him deals with Simba TVS and StarTimes, as well as with online sportsbooks such as SportyBet and Sportsbet.io. He even owns his own internet sports TV company called Kanu Sports TV.

His incredible story serves as an inspiration to all aspiring kids in Africa. So, his appointment as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador is just fitting.