Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has revealed that earning a university degree remains one of his personal ambitions, saying he hopes to return to school despite achieving success at the highest level of professional football.
The Galatasaray forward made the disclosure in an interview originally conducted by Instablog, which resurfaced on Monday.
During the conversation, he reflected on the value of education, the lessons life has taught him, and the need to prepare for life after his football career.
Osimhen admitted that many of his greatest lessons have come from personal experiences rather than the classroom, but stressed that he still places great importance on formal education.
“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 explained that although football has changed his life, he recognises that every playing career eventually comes to an end, making education an important long-term goal.
“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.
According to Osimhen, returning to school would also allow him to inspire young people who were forced to suspend their education because of financial or personal difficulties.
He said he wants to show that leaving school does not mean giving up on education permanently.
“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.
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His remarks have attracted widespread attention among Nigerians, with many pointing to his own journey from modest beginnings to becoming one of Europe’s leading strikers.
Born in Edo State, Osimhen announced himself on the global stage at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he finished as the tournament’s highest scorer and helped Nigeria claim the title.
His professional career later took him to Germany with VfL Wolfsburg before spells at Belgian club Charleroi and French side Lille.
In 2020, he secured a record move to Napoli, where he won the Serie A Golden Boot and played a pivotal role in ending the club’s 33-year wait for a league title.
He subsequently moved to Turkish champions Galatasaray and has continued to impress with his goalscoring performances.
Osimhen has consistently used his platform to advocate for education alongside football.
In February 2026, the Super Eagles vice-captain visited Beyond Limits Football Academy in Ikenne, Ogun State, where he advised young footballers not to abandon their education while pursuing sporting careers.
During the visit, he donated ₦10 million to support the academy’s development and reminded the players that while football talent could create opportunities, education remained essential in preparing them for life after retirement from the game.