Veteran Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo has expressed interest in finishing his football career in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), but insists the move would depend on major improvements in the local game.
The 35-year-old forward, currently playing for Al Wehda in Saudi Arabia, made the comments during a recent appearance on the Abu Azeez Podcast.
Ighalo, who began his career in Nigeria with Prime FC (now Osun United) and Julius Berger FC, said a return to his roots is possible—if certain conditions are met.
“I would love to play [in the NPFL], but I have to guarantee my security, and I would have to honour what I say because it’s not just about playing,” Ighalo said.
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The former Watford and Manchester United striker, who has scored 194 goals and provided 37 assists in 404 career appearances across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, noted that returning to Nigeria after nearly two decades abroad would come with significant challenges.
“There are so many things involved in it. Going from playing almost twenty years outside of Nigeria to coming back to your home town—I know it’s going to be tough,” he said.
The Nigerian striker has scored 6 goals in 29 matches this season, his lowest tally since moving to Saudi Arabia. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Ighalo, who won the Golden Boot at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, emphasized the need for structural and organizational reforms within the NPFL. He believes such changes could attract more foreign-based Nigerian professionals to end their careers in the domestic league.
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“If they can make progress and sort out some things in the league, it’ll be good. I believe you’ll see more ex-internationals or more Nigerian players that have played abroad come back to finish their careers in Nigeria,” he added.
Despite his openness, Ighalo was clear that the current state of the NPFL presents too many uncertainties for players accustomed to international standards.
His remarks come amid ongoing calls for reforms in Nigerian football, including improved security at match venues, better player welfare, and enhanced league organization factors that could play a crucial role in bringing homegrown talents like Ighalo back to the NPFL.
