
The 30-year-old forward, who is now the tournament’s top scorer with five goals, was gifted an easy tap-in following a Tunisian defensive mix-up at the Al Salam Stadium.
Jamilu Collins’ cross from the left was poorly parried by goalkeeper Moez Ben Cherifa against the legs of defender Yassine Meriah.
The defender tried to stop it from going over the line before Ighalo pounced to give Nigeria a third minute lead.
It proved a costly blunder for Tunisia, who lost Sunday’s semi-final in extra time to Senegal in similar circumstances.
Ben Cherifa attempted to make up for his error with some good saves in the second half.
He first denied Samuel Chukwueze’s left-footed shot just after the hour mark, before saving two efforts from substitute Samuel Kalu in stoppage time.
Nigeria, who dominated the game, have now won the bronze medal at eight different Cup of Nations’ tournaments.
Algeria play Senegal in the 2019 AFCON final match in Cairo on Friday.
Okala, who helped Nigeria to win their first AFCON title in 1980, told NAN in Enugu shortly after the match that the encounter was a very difficult one.
According to him, it was however good that the Super Eagles triumphed at the end of the day.
“Bronze medals are better than coming back with nothing. I must laud the Super Eagles for their commitment.
“They have shown patriotism and love for the country in discharging this national assignment on behalf of Nigerians, both at home and abroad,’’ he said.
On the way forward, Okala said that the Super Eagles had to go back to the drawing board.
“The senior national team must take patience to study their loopholes, as well as strengths in the entire tournament.
“Sincerely, we are not where we ought to be in football, especially in African football,’’ he said.