Ademola Lookman has been named African Footballer of the Year by the Confederation of African Football at their awards ceremony on Monday.

The Atlanta forward scored a hat-trick as the team won the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin in May and helped Nigeria reach the Africa Cup of Nations final in Ivory Coast earlier in the year.

He netted three times in the AFCON tournament.

Lookman, who has played in the Premier League for Everton, Fulham and Leicester City, scored 17 goals for Atalanta last season and has 11 this campaign. He moved to the Serie A club in 2022.

A Nigerian prince has been officially crowned 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆. 🇳🇬👑 #CAFAwards2024

pic.twitter.com/j6u7SPWpmd

— AFCON 2025 (@Afcon2025EN) December 16, 2024

“This award is a blessing, to be recognized as the best player in Africa is incredible,” he said.

“Four years ago my career was on the decline but now I am here as the best player in Africa. Don’t let your failures stop your dreams.”

Lookman was named ahead of Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea’s Serhou Guirasi, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

The award is voted on by a panel that includes national team coaches and captains, but no details on the number of votes were immediately released.

Lookman is the seventh Nigerian to receive the award, succeeding last year’s winner, Victor Osimhen.

Other previous Nigerian winners are Nwankwo Kanu (twice), Emmanuel Amunike, Victor Ikpeba and Rashidi Yekini.