Final Whistle reveals the most prolific Nigerian footballers who have left a lasting impact on the Premier League’s scoring charts.
Since its debut in the 1992-93 season, after top-tier clubs broke away from the English Football League, the Premier League has quickly become the world’s most-watched sports league.
It broadcasts in 212 territories to 643 million homes, reaching a reported audience of 4.7 billion.
Nigerian footballers have been key to its diversity, with Nigeria contributing 61 players (not all played for the Super Eagles) — more than any other African country, with Efan Ekoku being the first Nigerian in the league in April 1993
Having detailed the top appearance makers in Premier League history, as well as the leading goalscorers, the most successful assist providers, the goalkeepers with the most clean sheets, and the most controversial transfers since the 1992-93 season, Pulse Sports now examines the top-scoring Nigerians in the competition’s history.
Top-scoring Nigerians in Premier League history
10. Victor Moses
Victor Moses scored 20 goals in 220 Premier League appearances across multiple clubs, including Wigan Athletic, Chelsea, Liverpool (loan), Stoke City (loan) and West Ham United (loan).
A highly versatile player, Moses successfully transitioned from a traditional winger to an integral wing-back under Antonio Conte, playing a pivotal role in Chelsea’s 2016-17 Premier League title triumph.
He also secured a Europa League winner’s medal with Chelsea.
9. Victor Anichebe
Victor Anichebe contributed 26 goals in 204 Premier League appearances for Everton, West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland.
A powerful and physical forward, Anichebe often served as a focal point in attack, capable of playing as a lone striker or on the wing.
He was recognised for his potential early in his career, being voted Everton’s Young Player of the Year for the 2007-08 season.
8. Obafemi Martins
Obafemi Martins scored 28 goals in 92 Premier League appearances, primarily for Newcastle United.
Known for his blistering pace, explosive power and iconic acrobatic goal celebrations, Martins was a thrilling and often unpredictable presence on the pitch.
He quickly became a fan favourite at Newcastle, scoring 11 goals in his inaugural season (2006-07).
7. Alex Iwobi
The only active Premier League player on this list, Alex Iwobi has scored 31 goals in 291 Premier League appearances for Arsenal, Everton and Fulham (as of August 2025).
Primarily operating as an attacking midfielder or winger, Iwobi is recognised for his exceptional dribbling skills, intelligent link-up play and remarkable versatility across various midfield and wide attacking roles.
He achieved FA Cup success with Arsenal in 2017 and continues to be a key attacking presence for his clubs.
Iwobi has also contributed significantly with 38 assists in the Premier League.
6. Peter Odemwingie
Peter Odemwingie netted 36 goals in 129 Premier League appearances for West Bromwich Albion, Cardiff City and Stoke City.
A versatile and dynamic forward, Odemwingie was known for his explosive pace, directness and impressive ability to score from various attacking positions.
He enjoyed a particularly prolific spell at West Bromwich Albion, where he scored a significant portion of his Premier League goals.
5. Kelechi Iheanacho
Kelechi Iheanacho has scored 42 goals in 196 Premier League appearances for Manchester City and Leicester City.
As the highest Nigerian goalscorer in the Premier League, Iheanacho has consistently demonstrated flashes of brilliant finishing and intelligent movement.
‘Senior Man’ played a crucial role in Leicester City’s historic FA Cup success in 2021, scoring a joint-high four goals in the competition.
4. Shola Ameobi
Shola Ameobi, a loyal and long-serving figure, scored 43 goals in 298 Premier League appearances, exclusively for Newcastle United.
He dedicated 14 years of his professional career to the club, making the most Premier League appearances by any Nigerian player.
Ameobi was valued for his physical presence, excellent hold-up play and a knack for scoring crucial goals, often coming off the bench as a super-sub.
3. Efan Ekoku
Efan Ekoku, a true trailblazer for Nigerian footballers in England, scored 52 goals in 160 Premier League appearances for Norwich City and Wimbledon.
He holds the distinction of being the first Nigerian to play in the Premier League. Ekoku further etched his name in league history by becoming the first player ever to score four goals in a single Premier League match, achieving this feat against Everton in 1993.
He was known for his strong, direct and effective style as a striker.
2. Nwankwo Kanu
A true legend of the game, Nwankwo Kanu registered 54 goals in 273 Premier League appearances for Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth.
Known as “Papilo,” he was an elegant and supremely skilful forward, celebrated for his exceptional vision, technical finesse and the innate ability to conjure moments of magic on the pitch.
He was a pivotal member of Arsenal’s legendary “Invincibles” squad that achieved the remarkable feat of going unbeaten throughout the entire 2003-04 Premier League season.
Among his most iconic moments was a breathtaking 15-minute hat-trick against Chelsea.
Kanu also secured FA Cup triumphs with both Arsenal and Portsmouth. His career is particularly remarkable given that he overcame a congenital heart defect, a challenge that makes his achievements even more inspiring.
1. Yakubu Aiyegbeni
With an impressive tally of 95 goals in 252 Premier League appearances, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, affectionately known as “The Yak,” stands as the leading Nigerian goalscorer in the league’s history.
He plied his trade for four different Premier League clubs: Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton and Blackburn Rovers.
Yakubu was characterised by his sheer power, clinical finishing and remarkable consistency in front of goal.
His immediate impact was evident when he scored 16 goals in his debut Premier League season with Portsmouth.
A testament to his prolificacy, he notably scored four goals in a single Premier League match on two occasions during his career.
As of August 2025, Yakubu is recognised as the fifth-highest African goalscorer in the league’s history, behind Mohamed Salah (186 goals), Sadio Mane (111), Didier Drogba (104) and Emmanuel Adebayor (97).
