Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a commanding lead, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C clash in Fes, enjoying a 3-0 lead with only 17 minutes left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when Tunisia were given a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
This result ensures that the Super Eagles, champions of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to 6 points and are guaranteed first place in Group C with one game still to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will face a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on three points, with the East African teams tied on one point each after playing out a one-all draw earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group fixtures will see Nigeria stay in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to give his team a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, are the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and fans will undoubtedly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable final quarter morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring right before half-time, expertly guiding a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a looping cross struck the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia in the end fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
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