Nigerian Born Players in the NFL 2025

Asher Hyre Published: Oct 29 2025 21:23

Nigeria has had a long history of producing talented NFL players, most notably Christian Okoye being the first Nigerian-born player in NFL history.

The NFL is one of the most diverse professional leagues in the world, and players with Nigerian last names and heritage are everywhere.

Names like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Emeka Egbuka, Rome Odunze, and David Njoku are extremely talented players with Nigerian heritage, but born in the U.S.

In this article, we'll focus on current players in the NFL that were born in Nigeria, with their birthplace, position, team, draft pick, when they immigrated to the U.S, and where they went to college.

David Onyemata

NFL Team	Atlanta Falcons
Position	Nose tackle
Age	32 years old
Birthplace	Lagos
Immigrated	2011
College	Manitoba University
Drafted	2016: R4, 120th overall

Onyemata is a ten-year vet who immigrated on his own to Winnipeg, Canada when he was around 17 years old. He's recorded 31 sacks and 362 tackles in 144 career games.

Emmanuel Ogbah

NFL Team	Jacksonville Jaguars
Position	Defensive end
Age	31 years old
Birthplace	Lagos
Immigrated	2002
College	Oklahoma State
Drafted	2016: R2, 32nd overall

Ogbah, a Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs, is also in his 10th season and has recorded 47.5 sacks in 130 career games.

Samson Ebukam

NFL Team	Indianapolis Colts
Position	Defensive end
Age	30 years old
Birthplace	Emmaus
Immigrated	2004
College	Eastern Washington
Drafted	2017: R4, 125th overall

Ebukam has played in 120 career games and has racked up 35 sacks for the Rams, 49ers, and Colts.

David Ojabo

NFL Team	Baltimore Ravens
Position	EDGE linebacker
Age	25 years old
Birthplace	Port Harcourt
Immigrated	2007 (to Scotland), 2017 (to U.S.)
College	Michigan
Drafted	2022: R2, 45th overall

Ojabo was a second-team All-American selection at Michigan in 2021, but injuries have derailed his NFL career. He's played in just 23 games in four years and has four career sacks.

Joseph Ossai

NFL Team	Cincinnati Bengals
Position	Defensive end
Age	25 years old
Birthplace	Lagos
Immigrated	2010
College	Texas
Drafted	2021: R3, 69th overall

Ossai was a superstar at Texas and has played in 55 career games with Cincinnati, recording 11.5 sacks.

Moro Ojomo

NFL Team	Philadelphia Eagles
Position	Defensive tackle
Age	24
Birthplace	Lagos
Immigrated	2009
College	Texas
Drafted	2023: R7, 249th overall

Ojomo has carved out a very nice role for himself on the Eagles defense. The former 7th round pick has four career sacks, all from this year.

Ruke Orhorhoro

NFL Team	Atlanta Falcons
Position	Defensive tackle
Age	24
Birthplace	Lagos
Immigrated	2010
College	Clemson
Drafted	2024: R2, 35th overall

Orhorhoro has 1.5 sacks in his second NFL season, playing in 15 career games.

Princely Umanmielen

NFL Team	Carolina Panthers
Position	EDGE linebacker
Age	23
Birthplace	Lagos
Immigrated	2005
College	Ole Miss
Drafted	2025: R3, 77th overall

The rookie was a first-team All-SEC selection in 2024 and has enjoyed a solid rookie year, recording 1.5 sacks in eight games.

HM: Nelson Agholor

Agholor isn't on a team yet this year, but he deserves some praise as being the second-best Nigerian born player in NFL history. He has racked up 4,858 yards and 37 touchdowns as in his ten seasons.