Peter Obi’s Super Bowl remarks spark backlash as Nigerians highlight six NFL players of Nigerian descent, correcting his earlier claim of three
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has come under criticism from Nigerians after highlighting only three NFL players of Nigerian descent in a recent Super Bowl post.
Also read: Peter Obi praises Nigerian talent at Super Bowl
The comment, shared on Obi’s social media, sparked a debate over accuracy and perceived bias.
Obi had written that watching the Super Bowl reminded him of Nigeria’s potential, citing Michael Onwenu of the New England Patriots, Uchenna Nwosu of the Seattle Seahawks, and reigning Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks as examples of Nigerians excelling on the global stage.
He linked their success to discipline, opportunity, and effective systems, and used the moment to advocate for visionary leadership in Nigeria.
However, social media users quickly pointed out that Obi had understated the number of Nigerian-descended players featured in the game.
HRM Banke Oniru responded, saying, “We can easily pardon a child that is afraid of darkness. The real tragedy and a life without purpose is when men are afraid of the light.”
The full list of six players cited included Seattle Seahawks stars Jaxon Smith-Njigba (wide receiver), Boye Mafe (linebacker), Uchenna Nwosu (linebacker), Nick Emmanwori (safety), Olusegun Oluwatimi (centre), and New England Patriots’ Mike Onwenu (offensive lineman).
Commentators also highlighted that the Seahawks’ additions this season strengthened key positions, with some fans noting, “We really dodged a bullet!”
The incident underscores the heightened scrutiny public figures face when commenting on national representation in global sports and illustrates the passionate engagement of Nigerians online.
Also read: Peter Obi slams Tinubu over worsening power grid failures
Observers say such discussions reflect pride in the country’s diaspora talent and a demand for accuracy when celebrating achievements abroad.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
