Nigeria has long been a home of footballing brilliance, producing icons such as Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, John Obi Mikel and, more recently, Victor Osimhen, and the Super Eagles talent pipeline continues to overflow with gifted youngsters that have the potential to make waves at club and international levels.
As the 2025/26 football season swiftly approaches, a crop of talented youngsters are on the verge of having breakout campaigns, and in this article, we will be taking a look at 10 under 21 Nigerian footballers to watch out for in the upcoming season.
George Ilenikhena – AS Monaco, 18
Ilenikhena made the move from Royal Antwerp to Monaco after a 2023/24 campaign that saw the striker score 14 goals in 50 appearances, but the youngster endured an injury-hit first season in France.
Despite the injuries, Ilenikhena managed goals against Benfica and Barcelona in the Champions League in his debut season with Monaco, and if he can avoid injuries this term, then the striker has the potential to become one of the most promising forwards in the world.
Ebenezer Akinsanmiro – Inter Milan, 20
Akinsanmiro enjoyed a strong campaign on loan from Inter Milan at Sampdoria in Serie B last season, showing his defensive class with some hugely impressive statistics – such as ranking in the top 5% of all midfielders for recoveries, duels won and successful dribbles per 90.
A potential loan move to Serie A side Pisa looks increasingly likely ahead of this season, and this could prove to be a huge chance for the midfielder to show his quality at the highest level.
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Vince Osuji – Club Brugge, 19
Osuji was signed by Club Brugge in January 2025 after an impressive first half of the season with Kalmar FF in Sweden, and while he only featured for the youth team in Belgium, the central defender showed his qualities and could earn appearances in the senior side this term.
Daniel Daga – Molde FK, 18
Daga has shown signs of having the potential to become a top-level midfielder, with the 18-year-old already ranking among the top 10% of midfielders in the Norwegian Eliteserien for goals, shots, dribble success, touches in opposition box, tackles won % and aerial duels won per 90 minutes.
Christian Nwachukwu – Sheffield United, 19
Nwachukwu scored four goals in 25 appearances for Botev Plovdiv last term, while the winger also earned experience of playing in both the Conference League and Europa League. Now set to compete for Sheffield United in the Championship, this top-level experience could help him show his class in the English second division.
Ehije Ukaki – Sheffield United, 20
Ukaki, who moved with Nwachukwu from Botev Plovdiv, scored seven goals in 41 matches across all competitions last season and also got experience in the Europa League and Conference League.
Hafiz Umar Ibrahim – Stade Reims, 19
Ibrahim’s talent is widely recognised across Europe, as the likes of Chelsea, Bayer Leverkusen, Bodo/Glimt and many more were interested in signing the striker before he eventually joined Stade Reims.
While he only earned limited first team minutes last season, with extra experience under his belt, the striker could be further introduced into Reims’ team in the 2025/26 season.
Hulk was given the harshest yellow card in football history ?pic.twitter.com/sAXolWUjDV
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Anthony Dennis – Goztepe, 21
Dennis was highly impressive in defensive midfield for Goztepe last season, earning interest from the likes of Leeds United, St Pauli, Brighton & Hove Albion and Stade Rennes.
While he may end up staying in Turkey, the midfielder has clearly shown the talent that he can play at the highest level, and with another season of development in 2025/26, we believe Dennis is certainly someone to keep your eye on.
Chibuike Nwaiwu – Wolfsberger AC, 21
Nwaiwu is capable of playing in either central defence or defensive midfield, and he was undoubtedly one of the top performing players in the Austrian Bundesliga last season.
Ranking in the top 10% of centre-backs for recoveries, interceptions, duels won and successful dribbles per 90, Nwaiwu has shown the potential that he can develop into becoming a Super Eagles star.
Hamzat Ojediran – RC Lens, 21
Ojediran only earned limited minutes in Ligue 1 for RC Lens in 2024/25, but the midfielder was able to demonstrate his ability and potential in that time.
The midfielder excelled in defence, ranking in the top 2% of midfielders for tackles won, duels won, aerial duels won, interceptions and blocks per 90 minutes, while Ojediran also possesses a strong offensive threat, with 0.13 expected goals per 90 minutes.
Ojediran should be further integrated into the first team in 2025/26, and if the midfielder can continue performing at such an impressive level, then this is a player to keep a close eye on.
