A combination of John Obi Mikel, Yakubu Aiyegbeni and a favour from Ivory Coast helped Nigeria qualify.
Super Eagles progress after Benin win
A combination of John Obi Mikel, Yakubu Aiyegbeni and a favour from Ivory Coast ensured that Nigeria secured a place in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.
Mikel headed home on 52 minutes and Yakubu coolly slotted home with four minutes remaining as Nigeria saw off Benin to set up a mouth-watering tie with hosts Ghana in the next round.
Nigeria went into the game knowing that they needed to pick up maximum points and hope Ivory Coast could comfortably beat Mali to qualify from Group B.
A scrappy first-half was highlighted by events in the other Group B fixture when news filtered through that Ivory Coast were leading Mali 1-0.
Nigeria should have opened their account inside 10 minutes when Yakubu burst into the Benin box only to place his shot the wrong side of the post when he should have scored.
Benin had their moments themselves and came close to scoring through Alain Gaspoz only for the full-back to be denied by a smart low save from Austin Ejide in the Nigeria goal.
Crucial opener
Captain Joseph Yobo will feel he should have done better when his free header went high over the bar from a Mikel corner, but the Super Eagles knew they had to improve considerably after the break.
With Berti Vogts' words ringing in their ears Nigeria responded seven minutes after the break with the crucial opening goal.
A thunderous 30-yard free-kick by Taye Taiwo was only parried by Valerie Amoussou to the on-rushing Odemwingie.
The Lokomotiv Moscow man showed great composure to chip the ball across the six-yard box where Mikel arrived to head home from close range.
The goal spurred the Super Eagles into life and only Amoussou's reflexes and the crossbar kept the scoreline at 1-0 after Ikechukwu Eche and Victor Obinha threatened.
Nigeria eventually sealed victory to book their meeting with Ghana in the quarter-finals after Mikel's inch-perfect through-ball was clinically dispatched by Yakubu on 86 minutes.
With Ivory Coast comfortably beating Mali 3-0 celebrations began in the Nigeria camp, and they know they will have to be at their best when they face Ghana on Sunday.
