Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a 3-0 lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow win.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with only 17 minutes remaining thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley wide of the upright.
The victory ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, advance to 6 group points and are assured first place in their pool with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on one point each after registering a 1-1 stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
Ali Abdi drilled the ball from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, are the next nation after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although Ali Abdi's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his departure.
