Last Updated on November 4, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Amen Ogbongbemiga is a Nigerian-born professional football player who plays linebacker for the Detroit Lions in the National Football League (NFL). Born on September 4, 1998, in Lagos, Nigeria, Ogbongbemiga spent his childhood in Nigeria, the United States and Canada before pursuing college football at Oklahoma State University.
Beyond his NFL achievements, Ogbongbemiga comes from a supportive family with strong connections to education, healthcare and professional football. His parents, Ayo and Ngozi Ogbongbemiga, helped him build a life across three countries, while his older brother, Alex Ogbongbemiga, also became a professional football player.
Although Ogbongbemiga has spoken publicly about his parents, brother and Nigerian heritage, he has maintained considerable privacy regarding his romantic relationships and possible children. Here is everything reliably known about Amen Ogbongbemiga’s family.
Amen Ogbongbemiga’s Girlfriend: Is He in a Relationship?
As of now, Amen Ogbongbemiga has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend or romantic partner.
Despite playing in the NFL since 2021, the Detroit Lions linebacker has generally kept his dating life outside the public spotlight.
His official Oklahoma State University and NFL biographies focus primarily on his athletic career, educational achievements and family background rather than romantic relationships.
Reliable public reporting has not established whether Ogbongbemiga is currently dating anyone.
Although some online celebrity biographies have discussed his relationship status, they do not provide sufficiently reliable evidence to identify a girlfriend.
Consequently, it would be inaccurate to name a particular woman as his romantic partner without a verified announcement or credible reporting.
Is Amen Ogbongbemiga Married?
As of now, there is no reliable public confirmation that Amen Ogbongbemiga is married.
The NFL linebacker has not made a widely documented wedding announcement, and the authoritative public sources reviewed do not identify a wife.
However, the absence of a public announcement does not necessarily establish that he is unmarried. His current marital status remains unverified.
Amen Ogbongbemiga’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
As of now, Amen Ogbongbemiga has no publicly confirmed children.
Neither his official NFL biography nor the reliable interviews reviewed establishes whether he has welcomed a son or daughter.
Although Ogbongbemiga has spoken about the importance of family, he has not made a widely documented announcement identifying children of his own.
Therefore, there is insufficient verified information to determine whether he is currently a father.
Amen Ogbongbemiga’s Parents: Meet Ayo and Ngozi Ogbongbemiga
Amen Ogbongbemiga was born to Ayo Ogbongbemiga and Ngozi Ogbongbemiga in Lagos, Nigeria.
Both parents are identified in his official Oklahoma State University football biography.
The family moved from Nigeria to Houston, Texas, in 2003, when Amen was approximately five years old.
They later relocated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in 2011.
According to reporting published by Bleacher Report in June 2015, his parents had professional backgrounds in accounting and nursing before establishing a home healthcare business in Calgary.
Their decisions to relocate internationally helped shape Ogbongbemiga’s childhood and eventually provided him with opportunities to pursue football at a competitive level.
Amen Ogbongbemiga’s Father: Who Is Ayo Ogbongbemiga?
Ayo Ogbongbemiga is Amen Ogbongbemiga’s father, who has a professional background in accounting.
According to a June 2015 profile published by Bleacher Report, Ayo worked as an accountant before the family established a home healthcare business in Canada.
After leaving Nigeria, he and his wife initially settled in the Houston metropolitan area of Texas.
The family lived in the United States for several years before deciding to relocate to Calgary.
The move required their children to adapt to a different educational environment, climate and community.
However, it also created new opportunities for Amen and his older brother, Alex, to develop their athletic abilities.
Ayo’s professional background in accounting was also reflected in Amen’s educational interests.
At Oklahoma State University, Amen studied accounting and received multiple academic honors while playing college football.
Although there is no verified statement establishing that his father directly influenced his choice of college major, both share a documented connection to accounting.
How Ayo Ogbongbemiga Supported His Son’s Football Ambitions
Ayo Ogbongbemiga helped provide the family environment in which Amen developed his interest in American football.
After the family moved to Calgary, Amen attended Notre Dame High School, where he became one of Alberta’s most promising young linebackers.
He eventually earned the opportunity to play college football in the United States.
In an April 2021 interview with the Houston Chronicle, Amen expressed appreciation for his parents’ support throughout his journey.
He explained that they had always emphasized the importance of education and that reaching the NFL represented an opportunity to honor them.
The interview demonstrated how deeply his parents’ values influenced his approach to academics and professional football.
Although Ayo has generally remained outside the public spotlight, his role in the family’s international journey is well documented.
Amen Ogbongbemiga’s Mother: Who Is Ngozi Ogbongbemiga?
Ngozi Ogbongbemiga is Amen Ogbongbemiga’s mother and a healthcare professional.
Her identity is confirmed in the official Oklahoma State University football biography.
According to Bleacher Report, Ngozi worked as a nurse before the family established a home healthcare business in Calgary, Alberta.
Her professional experience in healthcare contributed to the family’s business activities after moving to Canada.
The Ogbongbemiga family had previously spent several years living in Houston, Texas, before relocating north.
Ngozi and Ayo’s decision to settle in Calgary created a new environment for their children, who continued developing academically and athletically.
Amen subsequently became a standout high school football player and earned a scholarship to Oklahoma State University.
Throughout his college career, he consistently emphasized the importance of education, reflecting values encouraged by his parents.
Although Ngozi’s nursing background is publicly documented, reliable sources provide limited information about her current professional activities and other personal details.
Why Amen Ogbongbemiga’s Family Moved From Nigeria to Canada
Amen Ogbongbemiga’s childhood included international relocations that shaped his identity and athletic career.
He was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in September 1998.
In 2003, his family relocated to the Houston metropolitan area of Texas, where they spent several years.
During that period, Amen became familiar with American culture and football.
In 2011, the family moved again, this time to Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
According to Bleacher Report, his parents subsequently operated a home healthcare business in the city.
The move presented challenges, particularly because Calgary’s colder climate was considerably different from what Amen had experienced in Nigeria and Texas.
In a June 2015 interview, Ogbongbemiga explained that adjusting to the weather was one of the most difficult aspects of the move.
Nevertheless, Calgary eventually became an important part of his personal identity.
During an October 2020 interview with Global News, Ogbongbemiga expressed appreciation for the opportunities Canada had provided him.
The report also noted that he and his family had become Canadian citizens.
Although he was born in Nigeria, his years growing up in Canada helped shape the athlete who eventually reached the NFL.
Amen Ogbongbemiga’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Amen Ogbongbemiga has one publicly confirmed older brother named Alex Ogbongbemiga.
Alex also pursued professional football and played in the Canadian Football League (CFL).
The brothers’ relationship is confirmed in Amen’s official Oklahoma State University biography and Alex’s University of Calgary athletic records.
Both were born in Lagos, Nigeria, and experienced the family’s relocations to Texas and Canada.
However, reliable public sources do not establish whether Amen has additional brothers or sisters.
Alex Ogbongbemiga: Amen Ogbongbemiga’s Older Brother
Alex Ogbongbemiga, whose full name is Alex Busayo Ogbongbemiga, is Amen’s older brother and a former professional football linebacker.
He was born on March 2, 1993, in Lagos, Nigeria, approximately five years before Amen.
Like his younger brother, Alex grew up in Nigeria, the United States and Canada.
After the family moved to Texas, Alex attended George Bush High School in Richmond, where he developed into a promising football player.
He earned First-Team All-District recognition during his high school career.
In 2010, Alex joined the University of Houston football program, where he spent his first season as a redshirt.
Following the family’s relocation to Canada in 2011, he transferred to the University of Calgary.
There, he played for the Calgary Dinos and continued developing as a defensive player.
Alex Ogbongbemiga’s College Football Career
Alex Ogbongbemiga played college football at the University of Calgary from 2011 through 2013.
According to the university’s official athletic biography, he initially contributed as a reserve defensive lineman before transitioning to linebacker.
He appeared in five games during the 2011 season.
In 2012, he played six games while helping the Calgary Dinos win another Canada West football championship.
During the 2013 season, Alex recorded 17 tackles, including two tackles for loss and half a sack.
His team won the Hardy Cup and Mitchell Bowl that season.
Alongside football, Alex pursued studies in economics at the University of Calgary.
His athletic development eventually helped him attract interest from Canadian professional football teams.
Alex Ogbongbemiga’s Professional Football Career
Alex Ogbongbemiga entered the Canadian Football League when the Saskatchewan Roughriders selected him in the fifth round of the 2016 CFL Draft with the 36th overall pick.
After joining Saskatchewan, he subsequently spent time with the Edmonton Eskimos during the same season.
In 2017, Alex joined the BC Lions, continuing his professional football career in Canada.
His experiences provided the Ogbongbemiga family with a direct connection to professional football before Amen reached the NFL.
Alex’s college and professional achievements also demonstrated that athletes who developed in Canada could pursue opportunities at the highest levels of the sport.
Although both brothers played linebacker, their careers followed different paths.
Alex pursued opportunities in the CFL, while Amen eventually entered the NFL.
Is Amen Ogbongbemiga Related to Emmanuel Ogbah?
Yes. Amen Ogbongbemiga has a publicly reported family connection to NFL defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah.
According to a June 2015 profile published by Bleacher Report, Amen and Emmanuel Ogbah are second cousins.
Ogbah was born in Nigeria before moving to the United States, where he developed into a successful college and professional football player.
He played at Oklahoma State University and became one of the Big 12 Conference’s most productive defensive linemen.
The Cleveland Browns subsequently selected Ogbah in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
He later played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins, establishing a lengthy NFL career.
The reported family relationship is particularly interesting because both players attended Oklahoma State University and pursued professional football.
How Amen Ogbongbemiga’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Amen Ogbongbemiga’s football journey began long before he entered the NFL.
After moving to Canada, he attended Notre Dame High School in Calgary, where he became a standout linebacker.
During his junior season, he recorded 104 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, three sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
He continued improving during his senior season, recording 110 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and four sacks.
His performances helped Notre Dame establish a 37-game winning streak, approaching the Canadian high school football record at the time.
He also earned team Most Valuable Player honors and was selected to the All-District First Team.
In addition to football, Ogbongbemiga participated in track and field and earned academic honor roll recognition.
His combination of athletic ability and academic performance attracted attention from college football programs in the United States.
He eventually committed to Oklahoma State University, where he followed a path that combined education with high-level football.
Amen Ogbongbemiga’s College Football Career at Oklahoma State
Amen Ogbongbemiga joined Oklahoma State University in 2016 and spent his first season as a redshirt.
He began contributing on defense and special teams in 2017, recording 16 tackles and two tackles for loss.
His performances improved as he gained experience.
During the 2018 season, Ogbongbemiga earned Oklahoma State’s Outstanding Special Teams Player Award.
His breakthrough came in 2019, when he became one of the most productive linebackers in the Big 12 Conference.
He recorded 100 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.
His achievements earned him Second-Team All-Big 12 recognition and the team’s Leslie O’Neal Award as its outstanding defensive player.
He was also selected as a team captain.
During his final college season in 2020, Ogbongbemiga continued demonstrating his defensive abilities and leadership.
He recorded 81 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
He also forced three fumbles against TCU, setting a school single-game record.
Across his college career, he recorded 208 tackles, 25 tackles for loss and nine sacks.
He was also a four-time First-Team Academic All-Big 12 selection.
His academic success reflected the importance his parents placed on education throughout his upbringing.
Amen Ogbongbemiga Thanked His Parents Before Entering the NFL
In April 2021, Ogbongbemiga spoke with the Houston Chronicle about his preparation for the NFL Draft.
During the interview, he acknowledged how much his parents’ support had meant throughout his career.
He explained that they had always wanted him to receive a strong education and develop positive values.
For Ogbongbemiga, earning an NFL opportunity represented a chance to reward their sacrifices and demonstrate the lessons they had taught him.
He also emphasized the importance of leadership, discipline and helping teammates succeed.
Those qualities had already made him a respected team captain at Oklahoma State.
Although he was not selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, his performances earned him an opportunity to begin a professional football career.
Amen Ogbongbemiga’s NFL Career: Chargers, Bears and Lions
Amen Ogbongbemiga entered the NFL in May 2021 when he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent.
He made the team’s regular-season roster and appeared in 15 games during his rookie season.
His contributions included defensive responsibilities and special teams assignments.
He remained with the Chargers through the 2023 season, developing a reputation as a reliable special teams player.
In March 2024, Ogbongbemiga signed with the Chicago Bears.
He appeared in all 17 regular-season games during his first year with Chicago and recorded 11 special teams tackles.
His performances earned him a contract extension in March 2025.
However, the Bears released him in February 2026.
On August 9, 2026, Ogbongbemiga joined the Detroit Lions.
Following preseason roster adjustments, Detroit signed him to its practice squad before promoting him to the active roster in September.
As of now, he plays linebacker for the Detroit Lions, wearing jersey number 57.
His professional career represents an international journey from Lagos to Houston, Calgary, Oklahoma and several NFL cities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amen Ogbongbemiga’s Family
Who is Amen Ogbongbemiga’s girlfriend?
As of now, Amen Ogbongbemiga has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend. His current relationship status remains private.
Is Amen Ogbongbemiga married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Amen Ogbongbemiga is married or has a wife.
Does Amen Ogbongbemiga have children?
As of now, Amen Ogbongbemiga has no publicly confirmed children.
Who is Amen Ogbongbemiga’s father?
Amen Ogbongbemiga’s father is Ayo Ogbongbemiga, who has a professional background in accounting and helped establish a home healthcare business in Calgary.
Who is Amen Ogbongbemiga’s mother?
His mother is Ngozi Ogbongbemiga, a nurse who was involved in the family’s healthcare business in Canada.
Does Amen Ogbongbemiga have siblings?
Yes. Amen Ogbongbemiga has a publicly confirmed older brother named Alex Ogbongbemiga, a former professional football player in the Canadian Football League.
Who is Alex Ogbongbemiga?
Alex Ogbongbemiga is Amen’s older brother. He played college football at Houston and Calgary before spending time with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Edmonton Eskimos and BC Lions.
Is Amen Ogbongbemiga related to Emmanuel Ogbah?
Yes. According to reporting published by Bleacher Report in June 2015, Amen Ogbongbemiga and NFL defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah are second cousins.
Where are Amen Ogbongbemiga’s parents from?
Ayo and Ngozi Ogbongbemiga are originally from Nigeria. They moved their family to the United States in 2003 and later to Canada in 2011.
Where was Amen Ogbongbemiga born?
Amen Ogbongbemiga was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on September 4, 1998.
How old is Amen Ogbongbemiga?
Amen Ogbongbemiga is 28 years old as of now.
What NFL team does Amen Ogbongbemiga play for?
As of now, Amen Ogbongbemiga plays linebacker for the Detroit Lions. He joined Detroit in August 2026 after previously playing for the Los Angeles Chargers and Chicago Bears.
Tanos Potter is a sports journalist and NFL analyst dedicated to bringing fans closer to the gridiron through deep tactical analysis and roster coverage. He breaks down offensive and defensive schemes, quarterback performance, trade moves, and top Draft prospects. Tracking action across both the AFC and NFC, Tanos translates complex playbooks and statistics into engaging, actionable insights for football enthusiasts.
