Nigeria has produced some of the Premier League’s most memorable players.
From Jay-Jay Okocha’s outrageous skill at Bolton to Yakubu’s goals and John Obi Mikel’s trophy-laden Chelsea career, Nigerian stars have left a huge mark on English football. In fact, Nigeria ranks 1st in Africa for both the total number of players (57+) and cumulative match appearances in Premier League history.
But who stands above the rest?
Here are our 10 greatest Nigerians to play in the Premier League:
10. Peter Odemwingie
Clubs: West Brom, Cardiff City, Stoke City
Odemwingie made an immediate impact after arriving at West Brom in 2010, scoring 15 Premier League goals in his debut campaign.
Quick, direct and capable of playing across the attack, he finished his Premier League career with 36 goals, putting him among Nigeria’s most prolific players in the competition.
On this day in 2010, Peter Odemwingie netted his first Albion goal. ?? pic.twitter.com/tn8griWvLw
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) August 21, 2024
9. Joseph Yobo
Clubs: Everton, Norwich City
One of Nigeria’s most consistent Premier League defenders, Yobo became a major figure at Everton after arriving in 2002.
He made 228 Premier League appearances and spent the best years of his career as a regular in an Everton side that established itself in the top half under David Moyes.
8. Shola Ameobi
Club: Newcastle United
A cult hero at St James’ Park and second only to Alex Iwobi as the Nigerian with the most Premier League appearances ever.
Ameobi played 297 times in the competition, scoring 43 goals, and became particularly popular on Tyneside for his performances in the biggest matches.
7. Alex Iwobi
Clubs: Arsenal, Everton, Fulham
From breaking through at Arsenal to becoming an important player for Everton and Fulham, Iwobi has enjoyed impressive longevity in English football.
The nephew of Jay-Jay Okocha has developed from an exciting academy winger into a versatile and experienced Premier League midfielder, while also building a major international career with Nigeria.
How would you describe this goal by Alex Iwobi?
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 2, 2026
? @FulhamFC pic.twitter.com/BmmSCSmo2G
6. Wilfred Ndidi
Club: Leicester City
For several seasons, Ndidi established himself as one of the Premier League’s most effective defensive midfielders.
Signed by Leicester in 2017, his ball-winning ability and defensive work made him an important part of the Foxes side that consistently challenged towards the top end of the table during its strongest post-title years.
? Wilfred Ndidi signed for @LCFC #OnThisDay in 2017
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 5, 2020
He's made quite an impression since… pic.twitter.com/ffwvNhDYuo
5. Victor Moses
Clubs: Wigan Athletic, Chelsea, Liverpool, Stoke City, West Ham United
Moses enjoyed a Premier League career spanning several clubs, but his defining period came at Chelsea.
Antonio Conte transformed him into a right wing-back during the 2016/17 title-winning campaign, with Moses becoming a key part of the system that carried Chelsea to the championship.
4. Jay-Jay Okocha
Club: Bolton Wanderers
There may never have been another Nigerian Premier League player quite as entertaining.
Okocha arrived at Bolton in 2002 and quickly became a fan favourite through his outrageous skill, dribbling and spectacular goals. He recorded 14 goals in 124 Premier League appearances and helped Bolton finish in the top eight in each of his final three seasons.
His influence went far beyond statistics. Okocha helped transform perceptions of Bolton and remains one of the most iconic entertainers of the Premier League era.
The streets will never forget Jay Jay Okocha ?@OfficialBWFC's #PL icon joined #OnThisDay in 2002 pic.twitter.com/zualgUS22x
— Premier League (@premierleague) June 18, 2022
3. Yakubu
Clubs: Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton, Blackburn Rovers
When it comes to putting the ball in the net, no Nigerian has done it more often in the Premier League.
Yakubu scored 95 Premier League goals, the highest total by a Nigerian player, during spells with Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton and Blackburn.
He also scored four Premier League hat-tricks and twice managed four goals in a single match.
The Yak remains one of Africa’s great Premier League goalscorers.
?? The swerve on this strike from Yakubu ??#GoalOfTheDay pic.twitter.com/Iehb6M1JnW
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 23, 2020
2. John Obi Mikel
Club: Chelsea
More than a decade at Chelsea, 249 Premier League appearances and two league titles make Mikel’s record difficult to overlook.
He was rarely the player grabbing headlines, but his composure, discipline and tactical intelligence made him a trusted presence across multiple Chelsea teams.
Mikel ultimately won every major club honour during his time at Stamford Bridge and established himself as one of Nigeria’s most decorated footballers.
It was also on this very day that John Mikel Obi scored his first goal for Chelsea… pic.twitter.com/LZ0eRofYOj
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 6, 2017
1. Nwankwo Kanu
Clubs: Arsenal, West Brom, Portsmouth
Our greatest Nigerian in Premier League history: Nwankwo Kanu.
Kanu arrived at Arsenal in 1999 and became part of one of the greatest periods in the club’s history.
The elegant forward won two Premier League titles, scored 54 goals and registered 29 assists across 273 appearances, with the latter still the leading assists total among the Nigerian players listed by the Premier League in its historical comparison.
And then there were the moments.
None was more memorable than his extraordinary hat-trick at Stamford Bridge in 1999, when Arsenal trailed Chelsea 2-0 with only 15 minutes remaining before Kanu scored three times to complete an unforgettable comeback.
Skill, longevity, trophies and iconic moments – Kanu takes our No.1 spot.
? Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal (1999)
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 29, 2025
A Kanu masterclass helped us complete a stunning comeback at Stamford Bridge ? pic.twitter.com/wGyaY3julK
