The Premier League has long been a stomping ground for some of Nigeria’s finest footballing exports, who didn’t just grace the English top flight, but also left a lasting impact, Footynaija.com reports.
From no nonsense defenders to mesmerizing playmakers and iconic goal scorers, Footynaija.com ranks the Top 5 Nigerian footballers in Premier League history.
5. Joseph Yobo (Everton, Norwich)
Yobo became the first African to captain Everton and remains one of the most reliable defenders to have played for the Toffees in the Premier League era. Arriving initially on loan from Marseille in 2002, the Nigerian centre-back soon secured a permanent deal and spent nearly a decade on Merseyside.
Yobo made over 250 appearances for Everton across all competitions, helping the club secure consistent top-half finishes and qualification for the UEFA Champions League in 2005. While not known for scoring, his aerial threat saw him notch a handful of crucial goals in blue.
He left Everton in 2012 for Fenerbahce but returned briefly to the Premier League on loan at Norwich City during the 13/14 season. Though his time at Norwich was short-lived, Yobo’s leadership qualities and consistency at Everton earned him legendary status among Nigerian defenders in England.
4. Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton, Blackburn Rovers, Leicester City, Reading)
“The Yak” is fondly remembered for his goalscoring exploits across multiple Premier League clubs. He first lit up England with Portsmouth in the 03/04 season, scoring 16 goals to help the club avoid relegation. A move to Middlesbrough followed, where Yakubu bagged 35 goals in two seasons and played a key role in their memorable run to the 2006 UEFA Cup final.
At Everton, Yakubu became the club’s record signing at the time and immediately repaid the faith by scoring 15 league goals in his debut campaign (07/08) and helping the Toffees to fifth place. He also had stints at Blackburn Rovers and brief loan spells at Leicester City and Reading later in his career. Finishing with 96 Premier League goals, Yakubu remains one of the most prolific African strikers in PL history.
3. Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha (Bolton Wanderers)
Jay Jay Okocha brought flair and magic to the Premier League like few others before or since. The Nigerian maestro joined Bolton Wanderers in 2002 on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain and quickly became the heartbeat of Sam Allardyce’s side. He became popular for his dazzling dribbles, outrageous skills, and spectacular goals.
Okocha helped Bolton survive relegation and later captained them to a League Cup final in 2004. Though his stats (14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions for Bolton) don’t tell the full story, his impact on and off the pitch was immeasurable. He became a cult hero at the Reebok Stadium, inspiring a generation of fans with his artistry.
2. Kanu Nwankwo (Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion, Portsmouth)
Kanu’s Premier League journey was nothing short of remarkable. At Arsenal, he arrived in 1999 and became an integral part of Arsene Wenger’s squad. Kanu won two Premier League titles (01/02 and 03/04), including being part of the iconic “Invincibles” team in 2003/04. He scored 44 goals for the Gunners in all competitions, including a famous hat-trick against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Following his Arsenal stint, Kanu joined West Bromwich Albion and helped them avoid relegation in the dramatic “Great Escape” season of 04/05. He later moved to Portsmouth, where he enjoyed a fine end to his career, scoring the winning goal in the 2008 FA Cup final against Cardiff City. Kanu’s knack for decisive moments and trophy haul makes him one of Nigeria’s greatest exports to the Premier League.
1. Mikel Obi (Chelsea)
Topping the list is Mikel, whose decade-long stay at Chelsea brought unprecedented success for a Nigerian footballer in England. Signed in controversial circumstances in 2006, Mikel transitioned from a creative midfielder to a defensive lynchpin under Jose Mourinho.
The former Super Eagles captain played over 370 games for Chelsea, winning two Premier League titles (09/10, 14/15), four FA Cups, a League Cup, the 2012 UEFA Champions League and the 2013 UEFA Europa League.
While not a prolific scorer, netting just once in the league, his calmness, tactical discipline and ability to shield the backline made him indispensable in Chelsea’s golden era. His role in Chelsea’s 2012 Champions League final triumph against Bayern Munich epitomized his big-game mentality. Mikel remains the most decorated Nigerian footballer in Premier League history.