Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped Nigeria build a commanding advantage, but the Super Eagles were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from their opponents to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the dying stages to create a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before Ismael Gharbi sent a half-volley past the upright.
Securing Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six points and are assured first place in their pool with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on one point after registering a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding pool fixtures will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi drilled home from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of snatching a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger delivery.
The advantage was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a powerful nod from a set-piece corner.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal moment came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a point against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
