The story of dual nationals representing Nigeria's Super Eagles dates back to the 1980s when John Chiedozie and Tunji Banjo featured sparingly for the national team.
In the modern era, Reuben Agboola opened the floodgates for players of dual nationality to represent Nigeria rather than the countries where they were born or raised.
Over the years, stars like Efan Ekoku, Osaze Odemwingie, Danny Shittu, Efe Sodje, George Abbey, and many others have represented Nigeria with varying degrees of success.
With numerous dual nationals having played for Nigeria, who are the top ten players with the most caps for the Super Eagles?
Here are the top 10 Nigerian footballers in ascending order of caps earned. Note that this list takes in players who were born both in Nigeria and abroad, as long as they were, at some point, eligible to play for another nation.
- Calvin Bassey – 29 caps
- Danny Shittu – 33 caps
- Joe Aribo – 34 caps
- Victor Moses – 38 caps
- Semi Ajayi – 41 caps
- Ola Aina – 44 caps
- Leon Balogun – 46 caps
- Osaze Odemwingie – 63 caps
- William Troost-Ekong – 76 caps
- Alex Iwobi – 83 caps
10. Calvin Bassey
Born in Italy to Nigerian parents, Bassey moved to England, where he began playing football.
Bassey was eligible to represent three different countries, but chose Nigeria.
He made his debut against Ghana in March 2022 in a FIFA World Cup qualifier.
9. Danny Shittu
Born in Lagos but raised in England, Shittu played for clubs like Watford, Queens Park Rangers, and Bolton Wanderers.
He made his international debut in 2002 and was part of Nigeria’s squads for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.
8. Joe Aribo
Born and raised in London, Aribo began his career at Charlton Athletic before signing for Rangers in 2019, winning the Scottish Cup in 2020.
He caught the eye of Nigerian selectors in 2019 and debuted in a friendly against Ukraine, scoring in a 2-2 draw.
Aribo has played in the 2021 and 2023 AFCON tournaments.
7. Victor Moses
One of the most successful dual nationals, Moses won the 2013 AFCON with Nigeria under Stephen Keshi.
Born in Nigeria but raised in England, he represented England at youth level before switching to Nigeria in 2011 making his debut in 2012 against Rwanda in a AFCON qualifier.
He featured at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups.
6. Semi Ajayi
Born and raised in England, Ajayi’s Nigerian journey differed from others, starring for the Nigerian youth team before graduating to the Super Eagles.
Unlike many dual nationals, Ajayi chose Nigeria early, playing for the U-20 team at the 2013 Toulon Tournament.
He made his senior debut against Seychelles in a 2019 AFCON qualifier.
5. Ola Aina
Born and raised in England, Aina came through Chelsea’s youth ranks. He represented England from U-16 to U-20 levels and initially hesitated when Nigeria approached him.
However, he eventually switched allegiance and made his Nigeria debut at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt. Since then, he has been a regular and remains one of the most consistent Super Eagles players.
4. Leon Balogun
Born to a Nigerian father and a German mother, Balogun grew up in Germany.
He debuted for Nigeria in a friendly against Mexico in March 2014, and has gone on to play every minute of Nigeria’s 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign and also feature in the 2019 AFCON.
3. Osaze Odemwingie
Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to a Nigerian father and a Russian mother, Odemwingie briefly lived in Nigeria, where he started his football career at Bendel Insurance in Benin.
Odemwingie made his Nigeria debut in 2002 and scored his first goal at the 2004 AFCON. He won a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics and played in the 2002, 2010, and 2014 FIFA World Cups.
2. William Troost-Ekong
Currently the Super Eagles captain, Troost-Ekong has spent a decade with the national team since debuting against Chad in a 2015 AFCON qualifier.
Born in the Netherlands to a Nigerian father and Dutch mother, he represented the Netherlands at U-16 and U-20 levels before choosing Nigeria.
Troost-Ekong played at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and won bronze at the 2016 Olympics. He has also featured in the 2019, 2021, and 2023 AFCON tournaments, holding the record for most goals by a defender in AFCON history with five goals.
1. Alex Iwobi
Born in Lagos but raised in England, Iwobi hails from a footballing family—his uncle is Super Eagles legend Jay-Jay Okocha.
Despite representing England at youth level, Iwobi always seemed destined to play for Nigeria. He made his senior debut in October 2015 against DR Congo and has since featured at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the AFCON in 2019, 2021, and 2023.
Alongside Troost-Ekong, he is one of the longest-serving Super Eagles players and could reach 100 caps if he stays fit.
