Nigeria’s football legacy is built on the talents of exceptional goalscorers, who have dominated and made the country a powerhouse in the continent.
From the goalscoring feats of the great Rashidi Yekini to the modern-day exploits of Victor Osimhen, this list explores the top 5 highest goalscorers in Nigeria football history;
Rashidi Yekini (37 goals)
Late Super Eagles legend Rashidi Yekini is the leading goalscorer Nigeria’s history with 37 goals. Yekini made 62 appearances for Nigeria and represented the country in seven major tournaments.
He scored the country’s first-ever goal in the World Cup, in a 3-0 win over Bulgaria in the 1994 edition. Yekini also scored five goals en route to leading the Super Eagles to the 1994 African Nations Cup in Tunisia, claiming the top scorer and best play awards for the tournament.
The legendary figure scored his final goal for the Super Eagles in a 2-2 draw against Jamaica in 1998, closing an incredible 14-year chapter with the national team.
Victor Osimhen (26 goals)
Napoli talisman Victor Osimhen, stands second on Nigeria’s all-time goalscoring chart with 26 goals from 41 caps. The striker first gained prominence with his goalscoring exploits in the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2015, scoring 10 goals to lead the Golden Eaglets to victory.
Osimhen made his Super Eagles debut in June 2017 against South Africa and became the country’s second highest goalscorer with a brace in the 2-0 win over Rwanda in March 2025. At just 26, he has time to close the 11-goal deficit and break Yekini’s longstanding record.
Segun Odegbami (23 goals)
Former Nigerian international Segun Odegbami held the second spot on the country’s all-time goalscoring charts until Victor Osimhen surpassed him earlier this year. The forward notched 23 goals from 47 appearances for the Super Eagles since making his debut in 1976.
Odegbami who spent his entire career at Nigerian Premier League side Shooting Stars, was a key figure in the country’s first AFCON win in 1980, scoring three goals in the tournament.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni (21 goals)
“The Yak” scored 21 goals in 58 appearances for the Super Eagles before retiring in 2012. Yakubu Aiyegbeni featured at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and is famously remembered for his open goal miss against South Korea as Nigeria exited the tournament at the group stage.
Aiyegbeni enjoyed a successful playing career with spells across the likes of Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton and Blackburn Rovers.
Ikechukwu Uche (19 goals)
The Aba-born striker is Nigeria’s fifth highest goalscorer in history, with his 19 strikes coming from 46 caps. Ikechukwu Uche made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2007 and participated in two AFCON tournaments, winning the 2013 edition.
