Born in Nigeria, playing for Uganda, Malawi and Benin
A growing number of Nigerian-born or Nigerian-heritage footballers are representing other African countries. Here is who, and why the rules allow it.
PANM — Nigeria's football talent is spreading across the continent's national teams. Premium Times has counted a growing list of Nigerian-born or Nigerian-heritage players now wearing other African shirts, and a few who have gone the other way.
Who has switched
- Uganda: goalkeeper Akpan Udoh, a member of Nigeria's 2015 Under-17 World Cup-winning squad, qualifies through his grandmother from Busia and kept a clean sheet on his debut in a 2-0 win over DR Congo on 2 October. Kingdom Osayi qualifies through a grandmother from Kaberamaido. Both were among nine heritage players Uganda identified after reviewing more than 200.
- Malawi: defender Jubril Okedina, who grew up in English football, debuted in March 2024, and Lagos-born forward Babatunde Adepoju became Malawian through naturalisation after years with Malawian clubs.
- Sudan: Sunday Adetunji, who won one Nigeria cap in 2021, switched in 2026 after establishing himself at Al-Hilal Omdurman.
- Benin: Junior Olaitan, Tosin Aiyegun and Joseph Ede Oloko all have a Beninese mother and Nigerian roots. Aiyegun started all four of Benin's games at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
- South Africa: Ime Okon, born to a Nigerian father and South African mother, plays for Bafana Bafana. "I know where my heart lies," he has said.
Going the other way, German-born Felix Agu and Lagos-born, France-raised George Ilenikhena have chosen Nigeria; Ilenikhena scored on his Super Eagles debut on 25 September.
Why it is allowed
Under FIFA's rules, a player must hold the country's nationality and show a link through birth, a parent or grandparent, or residence. Players who have already played an official match for another country may need FIFA's approval, depending on age, caps and time since their last game; friendlies alone do not tie a player down.
Analyst Seun Anifowose and agent Friday Onajafe both said players' choices should be respected, while Nigeria should build clearer pathways for its own talent.
Source: Premium Times, reporting by Tunde Eludini, 17 October 2026.
