Wilfred Ndidi: From Hawking Groundnut On the Streets Of Lagos To The World Cup
Achem Samuel
Super Eagles and Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, shares the story of how he was once a hawker, selling groundnuts and pure-water on the streets of Lagos to make a living before his rise to fame in the premier league.
Ndidi’s upbringing at Ikeja barracks was not as rose-petal-filled as many would think; be it selling groundnuts, tomatoes and peppers, window-cleaner, there was literally almost nothing the youngster did not do to put food on his family’s table.
“I was known for selling groundnuts, because sometimes they call me “Omo ekpa” meaning ‘groundnut boy’ in Yoruba, and sometimes when I finish selling I go to do a quick one for myself, for my own money, I go for wiping the glass of cars cleaning it.
“I was doing so many things, I was really, really doing so many things but it was okay. My best I’ll say was making ₦3,000… and I was so happy to go home because I was saving to buy football [boots].”
— Ndidi
