Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has revealed that he intends to return to university and earn a degree after his football career, saying education remains an important goal despite the success he has achieved on the pitch.

The Galatasaray forward made the remarks in an interview that resurfaced on Monday, reflecting on his personal journey, the value of education and the need to prepare for life after professional football.

Also read: FIFA weighs 64-team World Cup, boosting Africa’s qualification hopes

Osimhen acknowledged that many of his most important lessons came through life experiences rather than the classroom, but said he still hopes to complete his 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.

Speaking about his long-term ambitions, the 2023 African Footballer of the Year explained that football offers only a limited playing career, making it essential to plan for the future.

“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,” Osimhen said.

The Victor Osimhen university degree ambition is also driven by a desire to inspire young people who may have abandoned their education because of financial hardship or other personal challenges.

“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.

Osimhen’s comments have resonated with many Nigerians because they reflect his own remarkable journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of Africa’s most celebrated footballers.

Born in Edo State, the striker announced himself on the global stage at the 2015 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, where he finished as the tournament’s top scorer and helped Nigeria lift the title.

The breakthrough earned him a move to German club VfL Wolfsburg before successful spells with Belgian side Charleroi and French club Lille.

His career reached another milestone in 2020 when Napoli signed him for a then club-record fee. In Italy, Osimhen became a pivotal figure in Napoli’s historic Serie A triumph, ending the club’s 33-year wait for a league title while also claiming the league’s Golden Boot.

He later joined Turkish champions Galatasaray, where he has continued his prolific goalscoring form.

The striker has consistently used his platform to encourage education alongside sport. In February 2026, Osimhen visited Beyond Limits Football Academy in Ikenne, Ogun State, where he donated ₦10 million to support youth development and urged aspiring footballers not to neglect their studies.

During that visit, he reminded young players that talent alone could not guarantee lifelong success and encouraged them to prepare for opportunities beyond football.

Also read: FIFA appoints referee for France-Spain World Cup semi-final

Victor Osimhen university degree plan reinforces that message, highlighting a broader commitment to lifelong learning and offering a powerful example that academic ambitions can remain achievable, regardless of where life’s journey begins.