Emenike was called up to the Nigeria national football team for a friendly against Sierra Leone. He was called up to Nigeria's 23-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations. On 21 January 2013, he scored in Nigeria's opening AFCON match against Burkina Faso in a 1–1 draw. He also scored the first goal in the quarter final match between Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire which Nigeria won 2–1. On 3 February, Emenike scored a 30-yard free kick giving his country a 2–1 win over Côte d'Ivoire in the African Cup of Nations.