Match report
Two goals from Bartholomew Ogbeche and one from Obafemi Martins earned the Africans a deserved victory as they prepare for the start of their World Cup qualification campaign next week.
It is Ireland's heaviest defeat since November 1995 when Portugal beat the Boys in Green 3-0 in Lisbon, but for Ireland manager Brian Kerr, he can take comfort in the fact that Nigeria are at a far more advanced stage of their preparations as he oversaw a second defeat in his 16 games in charge.
Fatigue seemed to play a big role in Ireland's downfall, as the players looked lethargic as, despite plenty of controlled possession, rarely threatened the Nigeria goal with the best chances all coming when the game was all but lost, with Stephen McPhail and Robbie Keane both hitting the post.
In defence too, Ireland looked shaky at times against the lightning pace of Ogbeche and Martins and Kerr will be annoyed at the ease at which the pair were able to bother his back four.
On the plus side, inexperienced trio, Jonathan Douglas, Martin Rowlands and Clive Clarke all earned valuable playing time while goalkeeper Nicky Colgan, despite been at fault for Nigeria's third goal, proved once again that he is quality cover for Shay Given with some outstanding saves.
FULL REPORT FROM FAI