Born in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria, Afolabi started his football career at NEPA Lagos.

Afolabi soon left his home country by moving to Belgium to Standard Liège after impressing at the 1997 Meridian Cup.

Having become a regular player at Standard Liège, Afolabi signed for Serie A side Napoli on loan ahead of the 2000–01 season.

He played in 27 league games in the 2004–05 season, all from the first until the last minute, and scored one goal in a 3–0 win away match against FC Wacker Tirol.

The following season, Afolabi played in the 2004–05 UEFA Cup tournament with Austria Wien, until the club was eliminated by Italian side Parma.

[1] After leaving Sochaux at the end of 2008–09 season as a free agent,[3] Afolabi returned to Austria, signing a two-year contract with Red Bull Salzburg[4] having been previously linked with newly promoted Premier League side Burnley.

In February 2010, he scored the winning goal away to title rivals Rapid Wien which helped keep the Red Bulls on course for the championship.

Following his release from Salzburg, Afolabi was linked with German side Eintracht Frankfurt but on 31 August 2011, he returned to France joining recently relegated Monaco on a free transfer, agreeing to a two-year contract with the club.

[12] On his debut for SønderjyskE, a match against Silkeborg IF on 28 March 2013, Afolabi helped his team to a 5–0 victory over its bottom-table rivals.

[15] After leaving Denmark, he announced his retirement and the intent to pursue a career in football management and scouting, having earned a certificate.

[1] Afolabi played a vital role for Nigeria in the 1999 African Youth Championship, coming from defence to score the two goals against Cameroon in the semi-final.

On 17 June 2000, Afolabi made his full international debut for Nigeria in a 2002 World Cup qualifier against Sierra Leone.