Funke Oshonaike is an iconic Nigerian table tennis player, a seven-time Olympian, and one of Africa’s greatest women athletes.
She is recognized for her incredible skills, determination, and trailblazing work for the sport.
Throughout her career, she has represented Nigeria with honour and has been a source of inspiration for many young athletes through her commitment to and cooperation in sports development.
Funke Oshonaike Biography
| Full Name | Olufunke Oshonaike |
| Stage Name | Funke Oshonaike |
| Ethnicity | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Professional Table Tennis Player, Olympian, Sports Ambassador |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm) |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Parents | Olujuwon Oshonaike and Mrs. Oshonaike |
| Siblings | 9 |
| Spouse | Kevin Irabor (ex-husband) |
| Children | Divine and Unique |
| Relationship | Single |
Early Life And Education
Olufunke Oshonaike (born on October 28, 1975, 50 years old) is from Lagos, Nigeria. Her parents, Olujuwon Oshonaike and Mrs. Oshonaike, brought her up in a family of 10 children in Lagos. She is the eldest of her siblings.
Together with her siblings, she was raised in Lagos, and, through her talents in table tennis, discovered at a very young age, she rose quickly and became the best in Nigerian youth competitions.
Her passion and commitment made her a very successful player who dominated African table tennis. Her religion is Christianity.
Career
Funke Oshonaike began her professional table tennis career in the 1990s and became Nigeria’s most decorated female player, winning 25 national titles and 11 medals at the African Games.
She was also part of the Nigerian Olympic delegation for 7 Olympic Games, making her one of the most experienced Olympians from Africa.
Since 1998, she has been living in Hamburg, Germany, where she continues to practice the sport at the highest level. Besides, she is also dedicated to growing the sport.
In 2025, she made history by becoming the first Nigerian to be appointed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission.
She works hard to promote table tennis, guiding young sportspeople and demanding strong support systems for athletes after their careers. Her life story from Lagos to the world stage is a great example of persistence and brilliance in Nigerian sports.
Social Media
Instagram Handle: @funkesweet
Personal Life
Funke Oshonaike is single, and she does not have a husband. She was formerly married to Kevin Irabor (sometimes she is referred to as Oshonaike-Irabor).
She has opened up about the time she experienced domestic violence during the marriage, including an occasion when her ex-husband allegedly beat her in the presence of her pastor.
She is a mother of two sons, Divine and Unique. She has talked about doing sports while pregnant and taking care of her children.
No other past relationships than the marriage with Kevin Irabor have been widely documented in public sources. At the moment, she is single and has no relationship. She is 5 Feet 6 Inches (167 cm) tall.
Net Worth
Funke Oshonaike’s net worth is approximately $1.5 million. Her primary source of income is her career in table tennis, which has spanned many years.
Other sources of income are sponsorships, allowances for the national team, coaching, and sports ambassadorship. In addition, she has recently been involved with international organizations such as the IOC.