As the curtains close on an exhilarating year of 2024 in sports, we reflect on the incredible achievements of Nigerian male athletes who have pushed boundaries, shattered records, and inspired generations in Nigeria.
Among them, one individual has risen to the pinnacle, demonstrating unwavering passion, unrelenting drive, and unparalleled excellence. It is our privilege to recognise and celebrate the Outstanding Sports Person of 2024.
These remarkable sportspeople have not only dominated their respective sports but have also transcended the playing field, inspiring countless fans worldwide with their remarkable stories, impressive work ethic, and commitment to excellence. Through their outstanding performances, they have redefined the limits of human potential, leaving an indelible mark on the world of sports.
In this special feature, we will delve into the remarkable journey of the Outstanding Sports Person of 2024, highlighting their most notable achievements, overcoming challenges, and the qualities that have made them a beloved and respected figure in the sports world.
Here is the list of the best male athletes in Nigeria for 2024:
(10) Oluwatimilehin Doko
Age: 24
Hot stories
Sports: Scrabble
Oluwatimilehin Doko, a member of Team Ogun representing Nigeria at the 2024 African Scrabble Championship in Kigali, Rwanda, has made history as the youngest African Scrabble Championship winner.
The 24-year-old became the youngest new bearer of the continent’s Scrabble Championship in Africa after he defeated Mumeen Jimoh, another Ogun State player (574-442), in round 31 to push his tally to an unassailable 24 wins.
(9) Chijioke Mbaoma
Age:21
Club: Al-Ittihad ( SCS Tripoli)
The former player of Enyimba Football Club was impressive for the People's Elephant last season in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), as he emerged as the highest goal scorer of the season, having scored 17 goals.
The 21-year-old impressive performance saw him complete his move from Heartland Football Club to join Al-Ittihad SC in Libya.
(8) Chukwuebuka Enekwechi
Age: 31
Sports: Shot put
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, who holds the title as an African Champion, recorded a historic 6th place finish in the men’s shot put final in his second consecutive Olympic Games, upgrading his 12th position from the Tokyo Games. This feat he achieved is the highest that any Nigerian has attained in the history of the Olympics in the shot put event.
(7) Chinecherem Nnamdi
Age: 22
Sports: Javelin
Chinecherem Prosper Nnamdi was fantastic in the men's javelin, breaking his national record to win GOLD in this event. Nnamdi was so good on the day that he passed up his last attempt when no other athlete was able to match 82m.
(6) Edose Ibadin
Age: 31
Sports: Track and field
Edose Ibadin became the second Nigerian man to compete in a distance greater than 400m at an Olympic Games when he ran the men’s 800m in Paris. The last Nigerian to achieve this feat was Ado Maude, who also competed in the 800m at the Seoul 1988 Olympics. Ibadin’s qualification for the Olympics came when he set a new National Record (NR) of 1:44.65 in Washington DC in 2023.
(5) Ezekiel Nathaniel
Age: 21
Sports: Track and field
Ezekiel Nathaniel had an impressive performance in 2024, smashing his own National Record (NR) with a brilliant 48.29s clocking in Florida.
He also broke the Nigerian record of 48.42s, which he set as a freshman at Baylor University in 2022; he also improved the school record. The time secured him automatic qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, dipping very well below the Olympic standard of 48.70s. He now has the fastest two times by a Nigerian in the history of the event.
(4) Chidi Okezie
Age: 31
Sports: Track and field
Chidi Okezie became the first Nigerian man to win the African Games 400m title since 1987. He stormed to victory in the men’s 400m at the African Games in Ghana, securing gold and becoming the first Nigerian man to claim the title since Innocent Egbunike in 1987. This was a major milestone for Okezie, having previously won four bronze medals at the continental level, dating back to his debut at the 2016 African Athletics Championships in Durban.
Okezie’s historic win came with a Personal Best (PB) of 45.06s, a significant improvement from his previous PB of 45.60s set in 2021. He would go on to run another PB of 44.97s, earning his qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
(3) Victor Osimhen
Age: 25
Club: Galatasaray ( Loan)
Position: forward
The Napoli striker, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray, did not have a fantastic year in 2024, unlike he did in the previous year. Osimhen was still able to pull through the challenges he had this year; the Nigerian had one of the most controversial transfer sagas due to the buy-out clause that the Serie A club placed on him.
He won his first Turkish Super Lig award after his goal against Kasımpaşa was voted the Goal of the Week. Osimhen will be looking forward to an impressive 2025 in Fernabache and any place he decides to move to at the end of this season.
(2) Victor Boniface
Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Position: Forward
Age: 24
The Super Eagles and Bayer Leverkusen forward player had an impressive performance in 2024; he was a huge part of the Bundesliga side that won the DFB-Pokal and the Super Cup in 2023/24 with Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
He helped Bayer Leverkusen win the Bundesliga title for the first time in 2023/24. He was the club's top scorer in the league with 14 goals which saw him win the Bundesliga Rookie of the season and was named in the team of the season. However, he was omitted from the 2024 CAF Player of the Year shortlist despite his impressive season in Europe. He was absent from the Africa Cup of Nations due to injury.
(1) Ademola Lookman
Age - 27
Position - Winger
Club - Atalanta
The Atalanta forward player does not need any introduction when it comes to his remarkable achievement in 2024. Ademola Lookman was by far the best player on the continent of Africa not just Nigeria following his impressive performance for both club and country.
Lookman's achievement in 2024 was his ranking 14th in the Ballon d'Or rankings, becoming the only African player nominated for the award. He scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, leading Atalanta to their first-ever European trophy and the first African to achieve this feat, also announcing himself to the global stage.
The 27-year-old is also running to winning the CAF Player of the Year award as he is part of the final shortlisted three players for the award.
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