The Super Eagles will play as many as 10 matches home and away to secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The competition will be hosted by three countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States of America.
Africa will be represented by nine teams at the mundial with the tournament now expanded to 48 teams.
There will be another chance for a team from the continent to qualify through the intercontinental playoff.
The CAF executive committee met in Algiers on Thursday to decide on the format and timing of the qualifiers.
Top journalist, Osasu Obayiuwana, who was in Algiers to cover the CAF executive meeting, reported that there will now be nine groups of six teams each, with the overall group winners advancing automatically to the next World Cup.
The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the last edition of the global soccer fiesta after they were eliminated by perennial rivals, Black Stars of Ghana.