This research was conducted to investigate variation in seedling vigour among five genotypes of rice in response to sodium chloride (NaCl) stress administered at 0g/l, 3g/l, 6g/l, 9g/l and 12g/l for germination percentage, final germination percentage, speed of germination, germination energy, plumule and radicle length, plumule and radicle dry weight. The study materials were arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) replicated three times in the laboratory of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko Ondo State, Nigeria. The rice genotypes which include; ITA 212, NERICA U-2, NERICA U-7, NERICA U-8 and NERICA L 19 obtained from Africa rice, IITA Ibadan, Nigeria was used for the research. The highest mean FGP was found in the control because no single amount of salinity was applied. The genotypes U-8, U-7, NL-19 and U-2 shows highest germination percentages more than 95% and ITA212 at < 95%, at 3g/l and 6g/l the genotypes also maintained FGP at above 90% except for U-7 and ITA that has < 70% and 30% respectively. Germination in early seedling growth up to vegetative and reproductive stages of the different five genotypes tested was inhibited by increase in salt concentrations, in respect of final germination percentages, speed of germination and germination energy. The genotypes with high GE% at specific salinity level obviously would be of higher competitive advantages than genotypes with lower GE% for capturing environmental and adaptive resources.