Ademola Lookman, Nigeria’s CAF Men’s Player of the Year, has reflected on how his decision to switch his national allegiance from England to Nigeria has transformed his career. The 26-year-old, born in London and a former England Under-17 World Cup winner, made the switch to represent the Super Eagles in 2022.

Lookman’s shift to Nigeria, he says, has been nothing short of life-changing. In a recent interview with SportyTV, the Atalanta forward shared that since donning the Super Eagles jersey, everything in his career has been on an upward trajectory.

“I think ever since I put on the Super Eagles jersey, it’s been fruitful,” Lookman explained. “We’ve achieved so much as a team, and there’s a real sense of camaraderie. Everything has just gone upwards for me.”

The impact of Lookman’s decision has been undeniable. In less than two years, he has transformed from being viewed as a Premier League underachiever to becoming Africa’s best player, as recognized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). His contributions to Nigeria’s AFCON qualification campaign, with three goals and two assists, were vital in helping the Super Eagles secure their spot in the prestigious tournament.

Lookman’s success hasn’t been limited to international duties. At club level, he made history by scoring a European record hat-trick for Atalanta in the UEFA Europa Cup final against Bayer Leverkusen. His rapid rise has drawn comparisons to other successful Nigerian diaspora players, such as Osaze Odemwingie and Victor Moses.

Reflecting on his CAF Awards win, Lookman expressed his gratitude and pride in joining the ranks of Nigerian football legends. “It’s an incredible moment for me. An incredible achievement,” he said. “It’s special to be able to join the list of many great players who have achieved a lot in the game.”

Beyond personal accolades, Lookman also emphasized the importance of inspiring the next generation of players. “It’s not just me but we have a lot of talent, not just in the men’s game but also in the women’s game,” he said. “To be able to motivate young kids who aspire to be like us is the most important thing. We want to set a good example for them to follow.”