Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has revealed that one of his biggest ambitions after retiring from professional football is to return to school and earn a university degree.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Nigerian international shared the aspiration in an interview that recently resurfaced online, explaining that while football has transformed his life, completing his formal education remains a personal goal.
Reflecting on his journey, Osimhen said many of the lessons that shaped his character came through life experiences rather than the classroom. However, he stressed that education is an achievement he still hopes to attain.
“I would love to go back to school and earn a degree,” he said, noting that a football career is relatively short and that preparing for life after retirement is essential.
The 2023 African Footballer of the Year said earning a degree would not only fulfil a lifelong dream but also inspire young people whose education may have been interrupted by financial hardship or other challenges.
According to him, leaving school because of difficult circumstances should never be seen as the end of one’s educational journey.
Born in Edo State and raised in Lagos, Osimhen rose from humble beginnings to become one of Africa’s biggest football stars. He announced himself on the global stage after emerging as the top scorer at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, helping Nigeria win the tournament.
His performances earned him moves to clubs in Germany, Belgium and France before he joined Napoli in 2020. There, he played a pivotal role in ending the Italian club’s 33-year wait for a Serie A title. He has since continued his career with Turkish champions Galatasaray.
Osimhen has consistently used his platform to encourage young athletes to combine sports with education. Earlier this year, during a visit to Beyond Limits Football Academy in Ogun State, he advised aspiring footballers not to neglect their studies, reminding them that every sporting career eventually comes to an end.
His latest remarks underscore the importance he places on planning for life beyond football, with education forming a key part of the future he envisions after hanging up his boots.
