Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has disclosed that he plans to return to school and obtain a university degree despite his success in professional football.
The interview, originally granted to Instablog, which resurfaced on Monday, captures the Galatasaray forward reflecting on education, life lessons and the importance of preparing for life after football.
Speaking during the interview, Osimhen acknowledged that while life has taught him invaluable lessons outside the classroom, formal education remains something he hopes to complete.
“As an adult, not everything I learned in school. There are some kinds of life lessons you encounter through life’s journey,” he said.
The 2023 African Footballer of the Year noted that although football has transformed his life, he is aware that a playing career has a limited lifespan.
“So for me, it will be an amazing thing to also try to get a degree, which I’m still considering because football is not something you will play for so long, probably 20 or 25 years, and then you’re done,” he said.
Osimhen explained that one of his motivations is to encourage young people who may have abandoned their education because of financial hardship or other challenges.
He said he wants to demonstrate that dropping out of school does not have to mean the end of one’s academic journey.
“For me, it’s to set a standard, to set an example to the younger generation that even though you dropped out due to some kind of challenges, you can always go back to school because the school is always there,” he added.
The comments have resonated with many Nigerians, particularly because Osimhen’s own rise to football stardom was shaped by humble beginnings and personal sacrifices before establishing himself among Europe’s elite strikers.
Osimhen, who was born in Edo State, first gained international recognition after finishing as the top scorer at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he helped Nigeria win the tournament.
He subsequently played for VfL Wolfsburg in Germany, Belgian side Charleroi and French club Lille before completing a record transfer to Italian giants Napoli in 2020.
During his time in Italy, he became one of the world’s most sought-after forwards, winning the Serie A Golden Boot and leading Napoli to their first league title in 33 years. He later joined Turkish champions Galatasaray, where he continued his prolific goalscoring form.
Beyond his exploits on the pitch, Osimhen has repeatedly stressed the importance of education for young footballers.
In February 2026, the Super Eagles vice-captain urged players at Beyond Limits Football Academy in Ikenne, Ogun State, not to neglect their education while pursuing football careers.
During the visit, he donated ₦10 million to support the development of the academy and encouraged the players to prepare for life beyond football.
He told the youngsters that while talent could open doors, education remained an important tool that would equip them for opportunities after retirement from the game.
The PUNCH