Variability studies on newly collected accessions and identification of superior genotypes enhances their suitability for breeding programmes. This study was aimed to estimate variation and assess the mean performance of pepper accessions collected across Nigeria. The study evaluated eighteen pepper genotypes and the experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Analysis of variance showed significant (P < 0.01) differences among accessions for all measured, except for number of fruits per plant. Correlation coefficients ranged from -0.27 to 0.84 and the strongest relationship was observed between stem colour and fruit length (r = 0.84, P < 0.001). Strong significant (P < 0.001) correlations between several traits were observed and fruit yield was either positively or negatively associated with other traits. Results from principal component analysis showed that the first six principal components accounted for 86 % of the total variability among the accessions. Cluster analysis differentiated the accessions and formed three distinct groups which were not in accordance with their source of collection. Accession NHPP-0144 combined high fruit yield with other desirable agronomic traits. Other promising accessions were NHPP-0137, NHPP 0319, NHPP-0332 and NHPP-0334 which possess favourable genes for yield potential and quality traits, a basis for future selection in pepper breeding programmes.