'I used to wash spirogyra gutters for ₦30' — Victor Osimhen opens up on life before fame

Nigeria’s football superstar and one of Africa’s most expensive players, Victor Osimhen, recently shared an honest glimpse into his humble beginnings in Lagos. 

In a heartfelt video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Osimhen revealed the odd jobs he took on as a young boy to help his family survive before football changed his life.

Growing up near the Olusosun landfill in Lagos, Osimhen’s childhood was marked by hardship. He lost his mother at a young age, and just months later, his father lost his job. 

With six siblings to support, young Victor was forced to take on various jobs, selling water sachets to motorists stuck in traffic, running errands, cutting grass, and even working briefly in a computer shop.

“There is a building in front of my house, you know this face me, I face you house, I used to fetch water for people there for N80,” the Super Eagles star stated. 

“Most of the time I would wash gutters, with the green things that are coming out for N30 - I washed it,” Osimhen added, describing how he earned small amounts by washing gutters clogged with spirogyra algae.

Despite the hardships, football became Osimhen’s refuge and passion. He honed his skills on the streets. 

Osimhen’s rise from washing gutters for ₦30 to becoming one of Africa’s most expensive footballers is a story of resilience, sacrifice, and unwavering ambition. 

From the dusty streets of Lagos to scoring goals on Europe’s biggest stages, his journey inspires millions.