Nigerian League Pay Gap Shocks Fans — Top Star Earns Just $826 Monthly Compared to Africa’s Big Guns

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Football lovers are raising alarm over the state of Nigeria’s domestic league after new figures revealed a staggering wage gap between the country’s top players and their counterparts across Africa.

Sikiru Alimi of Remo Stars, reportedly the highest-paid player in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), earns around ₦1.3 million per month — roughly $826. In stark contrast, elite players in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League rake in between $36,000 and $62,000 monthly, while Sudan’s top earners take home about $15,000 a month ($180,000 annually).

Across Africa, the figures are even more striking: Egypt’s Super League pays its top star $100,000 monthly, Morocco’s Botola offers $50,000, and Tunisia’s Super League stands at $30,000.

Analysts warn that without urgent reform, Nigeria’s local league risks further decline, leaving the Super Eagles reliant on foreign-based players to remain competitive. Fans and stakeholders are calling on the President and National Assembly to drive change, even if it means consolidating the league into fewer but stronger, more professional clubs capable of producing world-class talent.