The Premier League has been blessed with many Nigerian talents over the last decades.
In the upcoming 2024/25 season, Nigeria is the African country with the most players in the English top flight, and ranks 13th globally, ahead of even Italy.
The likes of Augustine Jay-Jay Okocha, Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Obafemi Martins graced the Premier League and sprinkled their stardust on many a ground, and with that came many goals too.
Below are the top 10 Nigerian footballers with the most goals in the Premier League.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni – 95 goals
Yakubu Aiyegbeni remains the most prolific Nigeria to have ever played in the Premier League. The former striker spent close to a decade plying his trade for Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Everton.
Aiyegbeni hit the ground running immediately he sealed a move from Maccabi Haifa to the Premier League, scoring 16 goals in his debut campaign in the English topflight. He would go on to hit double figures in the next four consecutive Premier League campaigns and departed the country in 2012 with 95 goals to his name.
Nwankwo Kanu – 54 goals
Nwankwo Kanu is also the Nigerian with the second-most goals in Premier League history, having found the back of the net 54 times in a combined 271 appearances for three clubs.
Kanu’s first taste of English football came at Arsenal and he won several trophies with the Gunners, forming part of the Invincibles in the 2003/04 season. He would go on to line up for West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth before hanging his boots.
Efan Ekoku – 53 goals
It’s easy to forget that Efan Ekoku is Nigerian due to the limited number of games he played for his country but he was part of the talented Super Eagles side that won the AFCON in 1994.
While his fondest memories aren’t in a Nigerian shirt, the England-born forward had a decent career in the Premier League. His stints with Norwich City and FC Wimbledon saw him score 53 goals in the Premier League, putting him only behind Aiyegbeni and Kanu.
Shola Ameobi – 43 goals
Shola Ameobi was born in Nigeria but grew up in England and spent his entire professional career playing in the latter country. He is a bona fide Newcastle United legend and commands the respect of the Toon Army, having spent his best years in Tyneside.
The 10-cap former Super Eagles forward rose through the ranks at Newcastle United and despite also featuring for Crystal Palace, all his 43 Premier League goals came in the Magpies’ jersey.
Kelechi Iheanacho – 42 goals
Kelechi Iheanacho has lined up for just two teams in the Premier League – Manchester City and Leicester City – and yet is among the highest-scoring Nigerians in the English topflight.
While the 27-year-old didn’t play much during his time with Pep Guardiola’s side, he established himself as a key player at Leicester and accounted for 42 Premier League goals across both spells. The Premier League title proved elusive for him, though, as Manchester City lost the title in the season he made his breakthrough, while he only joined Leicester after they had won it.
Peter Odemwingie – 37 goals
Perhaps one of the most consistent Nigerians to ever grace the Premier League, Peter Odemwingie had successful spells with West Brom, Cardiff City and Stoke City.
The former Super Eagles forward scored 37 goals in 129 matches in his six years in the English top flight. Odemwingie’s prime years were, however, at West Brom where he recorded double figures in goals in two of his three seasons at the Hawthorns.
Obafemi Martins – 28 goals
Obafemi Martins had already built a great reputation for himself before crossing over from Italy to England in 2006 but he still became a fan favourite at Newcastle United.
The left-footed attacker, who’s fondly remembered for his powerful drives, played 92 times for the Magpies in the Premier League and contributed 28 goals.
Victor Anichebe – 27 goals
Like many of his compatriots, Victor Anichebe had a long career in the Premier League and made his name at Everton West Brom and Sunderland.
While he came through the Toffees’ academy and spent seven years with the senior team, he was also decent at the other two aforementioned clubs and concluded his career in the Premier League with 27 goals.
Alex Iwobi – 22 goals
Alex Iwobi is still active and young, which means he may yet climb up the list but he currently occupies the ninth position in the list of highest-scoring Nigerian footballers in the Premier League.
The Fulham star boasts 22 goals in the Premier League, spread across his spells at Craven Cottage, Everton and Arsenal. Iwobi has played in England all his life and has now accumulated 253 appearances despite being 28.
Victor Moses – 20 goals
Victor Moses is Nigeria’s 10th all-time top scorer in the Premier League with 20 goals. He enjoyed a trophy-laden career in England, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and two Europa League titles.
The former winger played 220 league matches for Wigan Athletic, Liverpool, Chelsea, Stoke City and West Ham United.
