In Nigeria’s world of entertainment and sports, everyone loves to debate: who’s richer? Today, we compare two big names — Mikel John Obi (former football star) and Davido (music superstar) — and see who likely leads in net worth.
Meet the Contenders
Mikel John Obi
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Real name John Michael Nchekwube Obinna (he later adopted “Mikel John Obi”)
Born April 22, 1987, in Jos, Plateau State
Rose through football: started at Plateau United, played for Lyn (Norway), Chelsea (England), and had stints in China, England’s Championship, Turkey, etc.
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Over his career, he won major trophies (Premier League, Champions League, etc.) and earned big contracts
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He also has endorsements, real estate, and other investments post-football
Estimates of his wealth vary, but many put him at about US $45 million
Some sources suggest he might even be worth around €50 million in certain lists of richest Nigerian footballers
Davido
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Full name David Adedeji Adeleke
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Born November 21, 1992
His music career took off in the 2010s; he’s now one of Nigeria’s biggest Afrobeats stars
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Income streams include: music royalties, huge concert fees, brand endorsements (MTN, Pepsi, Puma, etc.), his record labels (DMW, Nine+ Records), business and real estate ventures
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Because of his family background (his father is a successful businessman), Davido also had access to capital from early on
What’s his net worth?
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Many high-profile sources claim US $100 million
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Some more conservative sources place his net worth between US $40–100 million
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In many Nigerian lists, he is named one of the richest musicians in Nigeria and Africa
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Mikel Obi | Davido |
|---|---|---|
| Core Profession | Footballer (now retired) | Musician / Entertainment |
| Peak Earnings Source | Club salaries, transfers, endorsements | Music sales, concerts, endorsements, business |
| Reported Net Worth | ~US $45 million (some claim higher) | ~US $100 million (some lower estimates) |
| Growth Potential | Slower now (post-retirement) | High (active in music, business, endorsements) |
Verdict: Who’s Richer (Likely)?
Based on widely reported figures, Davido appears to be richer than Mikel Obi. The majority of sources list Davido’s net worth at around US $100 million, while Mikel’s most common estimate is around US $45 million. Even if some margin of error is in play, the gap is substantial.
That said, these are all estimates. It’s possible that undisclosed assets, private investments, taxes, debts, or over/undervaluation affect the real numbers. But in the public domain, Davido leads.
Why the Gap?
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Active Earning Years – Davido is still in his prime, releasing music and earning. Mikel is retired from football.
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Scalable Income – Music, streaming, global tours, endorsements have huge upside.
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Business Moves – Davido is diversifying (labels, endorsements, property) while Mikel’s major wealth mostly came from playing contracts.
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Family & Capital Access – Davido’s family wealth likely provided support and leverage.
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