Utaka is a late inclusion by coach Shaibu Amodu, who kept open two places in a 23-man squad announced last week for the match in Abuja on September 6.
Amodu has also belatedly brought in Swiss-based defender Obinna Nwaneri, preferring him to Fulham's Dickson Etuhu.
Amodu has also dropped Bolton Wanderers centre back Danny Shittu and striker Obafemi Martins, who recently moved to German champions VfL Wolfsburg.
Nigeria will go top of Africa's Group B standings if they beat Tunisia. The two sides drew 0-0 in Tunisia in their last qualifier in June.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda, Israel), Austin Ejide (Bastia, France), Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel)
Defenders: Olubayo Adefemi (Boulogne-sur-Mer, France), Dele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands), Onyekachi Apam (Nice, France), Elderson Echiejile (Stade Rennes, France), Yusuf Mohammed, Obinna Nwaneri (both FC Sion, Switzerland), Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille, France), Joseph Yobo (Everton, England),
Midfielders: Olufemi Ajilore (FC Groningen, Netherlands), Sani Kaita (Kuban Krasnodar, Russia), John Obi Mikel (Chelsea, England), Seyi Olofinjana (Hull City, England), Ikechukwu Uche (Real Zaragoza, Spain), Kalu Uche (Almeria, Spain), John Utaka (Portsmouth, England)
Forwards: Michael Eneramo (Esperance, Tunisia), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth, England), Obinna Nsofor (Inter Milan, Italy), Chinedu Obasi (Hoffenheim, Germany), Peter Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia)
