On the occasion of Nigeria's Independence Day, we salute ten legendary athletes who have helped the country's flag fly high.
1. KANU NWANKWO
Kanu Nwankwo, without a doubt Nigeria's finest footballer, rose to prominence after helping his country win a gold medal in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta in the football event.
One of the most iconic events in Nigerian sports history is his double in the epic semi-final victory over Brazil.
He was also a member of the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning Golden Eaglets team. He played in the World Cups in 1998, 2002, and 2010, as well as multiple AFCON events.
The two-time African Player of the Year was even more successful in club football, winning every title imaginable, from the Champions League to the Premier League to the FA Cup.
2. MERCY AKIDE
Akide was the face of Nigerian women's football, leading the country to three FIFA World Cup appearances.
She was one of the top players at the FIFA Women's World Cup in 1999, guiding Nigeria to upset victories over Denmark and North Korea. The Super Falcons have only advanced to the knockout stage once, at the FIFA Women's Cup in 1999.
She won three AWCON titles and was the first African woman to win the African Women Footballer of the Year award in 2001.
3. SAMUEL PETERS
Samuel Peters is the first person who springs to mind when you think about Nigeria and boxing. When Peters held the WBC heavyweight belt in 2008, he etched his place in Nigerian sports history.
Wladimir Klitschko twice (in 2005 and 2010) and Vitali Klitschko once were among the Klitschko brothers' noteworthy fights.
4. CHIOMA AJUNWA
Nigeria's U-23 team won gold in the football event at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games remains the most memorable Nigerian achievement. Chioma Ajunwa matched that achievement by winning gold in the Women's Long Jump.
She is Nigeria's sole individual Olympic gold champion to date. She is the first black African woman to win a gold medal in a field event at the Olympic Games.
5. Mary Onyali-Omagbemi
Perhaps one of the greatest names in Nigerian athletics, Mary Onyali won the bronze medal in the 4 × 100 m relay at the 1992 Olympic Games and in the 200 m at the 1996 Olympic Games.
She also won the 1994 Commonwealth Games 100 metres title.
One of the greatest to compete at the All-Africa Games, she won a total of 7 individual medals in the short sprints. She won 100m in 1991, 1995 and 2003 and took a bronze medal in 1987.
Should we include her football career? She was part of the Super Falcons squad to the 1991 FIFA Women’s World Cup although she didn’t make an appearance.
6. Nduka Odizor
Nduka Odizor is considered to be the greatest Nigerian tennis player. After representing Nigeria at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, he went ahead to win one career title in singles (Taipei, 1983) and seven doubles titles.
He reached his highest ATP singles ranking of World No. 52 in June 1984. No Nigerian has ever achieved this feat.
7. Segun Odegbami
Segun Odegbami is one of the greatest Nigerian players of all time, period. He played as a forward for the national team earning praise for his immense technical skills.
He was nicknamed ‘Mathematical Odegbami’ for his precision on set pieces. He was was also blessed with terrific skills and speed, getting past opponents with smooth moves. He was simply a joy to watch.
8. Jay Jay Okocha
One of the most famous Nigerian sports stars, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha is known all over the world. He is undoubtedly one of the best dribblers the world has ever seen. He represented Nigeria at three FIFA World Cup tournaments and was part of the squads that won the 1994 AFCON and gold medal at the 1996 Olympics.
9. John Mikel Obi
After Nigerian football dynasties Kanu and Okocha, Mikel Obi became the country’s flag bearer in football.
One of the most successful Nigerian footballers, Mikel is only rivalled by Kanu when it comes to trophies won as a footballer.
He won AFCON with the Super Eagles in 2013 and led Nigeria’s U-23 to the country’s only medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Mikel has won everything in club football also.
10. Asisat Oshoala
The reigning queen of African women’s football, Asisat Oshoala continues to be the face of women’s sports in Nigeria.
Oshoala who plays for Barcelona Women's side has represented Nigeria at two FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments, U-20 Women’s World Cup and three Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON).
She was named the best player at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup where she also finished as top scorer with seven goals.
Her seven goals led Nigeria to the final of the World Cup where they lost to Germany.
She has also played for top European sides like Liverpool Ladies and Arsenal Ladies.
She became the first woman to be named the BBC World Women's Footballer of the Year in 2015.
She has won the African Women's Player of the Year award five times, won AWCON three times with the Super Falcons of Nigeria and won several trophies in club football.