Nigeria international striker Akor Adams has said the increasing number of Nigerian players competing in Spain’s top division is strengthening the country’s influence in European football while attracting more African viewers to the league.
The Sevilla FC forward, who is enjoying an impressive season in LaLiga, made the remarks during a media engagement where he discussed his personal progress, his international career, and the broader rise of Nigerian talent in Spain.
Adams highlighted the arrival of fellow Nigerian Ademola Lookman as a positive development for both the league and its African audience.
“We’re happy to have Lookman in La Liga. We are blessed to experience his football.
He’s an amazing, amazing player and even a wonderful person. So having more Nigerians in La Liga would also make Africans watch more of the league, which is what we need. And to, yeah, enjoy the time here.
The people are very good. They’re very welcoming to Africans. And I think we can have a great time here in Spain.”
His comments come amid a renewed presence of Nigerian footballers in Spain, reviving a legacy that dates back decades. In earlier years, players such as Finidi George made a strong impression at Real Betis, while Mutiu Adepoju featured prominently for clubs including Racing Santander and Real Sociedad.
The tradition continued with brothers Ikechukwu Uche and Kalu Uche, who both enjoyed successful spells in Spain. More recently, Samuel Chukwueze helped maintain Nigeria’s profile in LaLiga during his time at Villarreal CF, earning recognition as one of the league’s top African performers.
A new generation, led by Adams and Lookman, is now emerging to carry that legacy forward. There is also speculation that Victor Osimhen could make a move to FC Barcelona, where he is reportedly being considered as a long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski.
Beyond club football, Adams spoke about the impact of representing Nigeria at international level, saying his involvement with the national team has contributed significantly to his development.
“There is a level of confidence that comes from being called up with your national team,” he said. “For me, it’s been very positive.”
The 26-year-old acknowledged the physical challenges of balancing club commitments with international duties but credited careful management for helping him maintain performance levels.
“There is fatigue, and all of those things are normal when you play a lot of games,” he explained. “But the club helps me manage my workload, and I take good care of my body.”
He also pointed to the psychological benefits of alternating between club and country, suggesting that the change of environment plays a role in sustaining focus over a long season.
“It also helps with changing environment within the season to get a different feeling mentally,” he added.
Adams has been a key figure for Sevilla this season, contributing important goals and assists despite inconsistent results for the team. His performances have earned him a nomination for the SPORTY LaLiga MVP award, which honours the best African player in the Spanish top flight.
Despite the recognition, Adams indicated that his priority remains improving his performances and helping his club finish the season strongly.
