Nigeria are one of the most successful African countries in terms of producing talent, with over 50 Nigerian players starring for Premier League clubs.
Just two nations have reached the Africa Cup of Nations final on more occasions than three-time winners Nigeria and football is more than a sport – it’s a religion.
Efan Ekoku was the first Nigerian to feature in Premier League betting odds, featuring for Norwich City in April 1993 and several world class talents have hailed from the country.
Here, we look back at the greatest Nigerian footballers to grace the Premier League and we’ve also got a few statistics relating to some of the most influential Nigeria icons in England’s top flight.
Jay-Jay Okocha
Nigeria’s most skilful footballer of all-time, Jay-Jay Okocha was a fan favourite at Bolton Wanderers and supporters quickly labelled him “so good they named him twice”.
He made 145 appearances for Bolton, scoring 18 goals and helping to bring an attractive brand of football to the club. In addition, he played a total of 19 games for Hull City but he’ll forever be remembered for his time at the Reebok Stadium.
He recorded 75 appearances for the Nigeria national side and scored 15 goals – and he was a key figure for his country in their Olympic gold medal success at Atlanta 1996.
Yakubu
While some would describe him as a ‘journeyman’, he was an excellent footballer and teams often built around him – with fans obtaining fond memories of the Nigerian centre forward at Portsmouth, Blackburn, Everton and Middlesbrough.
The Premier League’s highest scoring Nigerian player with 95 goals, Yakubu had power, pace and precision – three traits needed to succeed in English football. And boy, did he do that!
Nwankwo Kanu
Kanu is a true legend of the game, not just in Nigeria or the Premier League but around the world. He was a pivotal figure for Arsenal during one of the club’s most successful eras and he was also hugely influential at West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth.
He has two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and an Olympic gold medal on his CV while he was also crowned Nigeria Player of the Year the same year that the country was successful at Atlanta 1996.
Even younger football supporters watching today’s game will have heard about Kanu’s greatness and he is undoubtedly one of the biggest Nigerian talents to play the game.
John Obi Mikel
Criminally underrated, Jon Obi Mikel was at Chelsea for over a decade and he made a total of 372 appearances for the club.
He won two Premier League titles, a Champions League title, a Europa League title, four FA Cups and two League Cups – making him one of the most decorated Nigerian footballers of all-time.
Mikel was solid, Mikel was reliable and Mikel was consistent. He missed just 17 games through injury during his 11-year career at Stamford Bridge and he is well worth a place on this list of best Nigerian players to play in the Premier League.
Joseph Yobo
A fan favourite at Goodison Park, Yobo will be forever regarded as one of the greatest Nigerian defenders to star in England’s top flight. While he doesn’t have the goal-scoring record of Kanu or Yakubu, he was a hugely important player for the Toffees.
In the 2006/07 season, he was one of just seven players in the Premier League to play every minute of every game. In total, he recorded 220 appearances for Everton and he scored a total of eight goals for the club.
Nigerian Player With Most Premier League Appearances
While several players have recorded 200 or more Premier League outings, Shola Ameobi holds the Premier League record for most appearances by a Nigerian footballer and he ended his career with a total of 297 matches.
Kanu wasn’t far behind with 273 appearances while fellow Nigeria legend Yakubu racked up 252 appearances. Ameobi wasn’t a clinical goal scorer not did he record assist after assist but he was a crucial squad member and he was a cult hero in Newcastle.
Which Nigerian Has Scored Most Premier League Goals?
A total of three Nigerians have topped the half century mark, with Efan Ekoku notching 53 goals during his time in the top flight while Kanu bagged 54 goals across an 11-year tenure in the Premier League.
However, none come close to Yakubu – who was just five goals off the Premier League 100 Club by the time he played his final top flight game. Yakubu remains clear of his compatriots with a total of 95 Premier League goals, averaging around a goal every three games.
Nigerian Footballer With Most Premier League Assists
As of February 2025, Kanu holds the record for the most Premier League assists by a Nigerian player with 29 – just three more than former Everton star Yakubu.
This should come as no surprise given Kanu is second on the all-time Premier League appearances list when it comes to Nigerian players.
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Adobe*
