Ademola Luqman was named African Footballer of the Year at the Confederation of African Football's awards ceremony on Monday.

The Atalanta striker scored a hat-trick in May's Europa League final against Bayern Munich in Dublin 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 played for Everton, Fulham and Leicester City in the Premier League, scored 17 goals for Atalanta last season and 11 this campaign. He moved to the Serie A club in 2022.

The Nigerian prince was officially crowned 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆. 🇳🇬👑 #CAFAAwards2024

pic.twitter.com/j6u7SPWpmd

- AFCON 2025 (@Afcon2025EN) December 16, 2024

"This award is a blessing, it's unbelievable to be recognized as the best player in Africa," he said.

“Four years ago my career was on the wane but now I am here as the best player in Africa. Don't let failure stop you from dreaming.

Luqman was named ahead of Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, Guinea's Serhou Guerassi, Ivory Coast's Simon Adigra and South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

The award is chosen by a panel of national team coaches and captains, but details of the voting process were not immediately available.

Lukman is the seventh Nigerian to take home the award, succeeding last year's winner, Victor Osimhen.

Nwanko Kanu (twice), Emmanuel Amunike, Victor Ikipeba and Rashidi Yekini are other former Nigerian winners.