Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina has opened up about the personal reasons behind his switch of international allegiance from England to Nigeria, citing deep family roots and a sense of identity as the driving factors.
The 29-year-old full-back, who was born and raised in Southwark, London, revealed that the pivotal choice was made around the age of 20. Speaking in a recent interview with his club’s media team, Aina reflected candidly on the moment that shaped his international career.
“Born and raised in London, I decided to play for Nigeria. It was just a decision that I made when I was about 20. That’s where my parents are from; that’s my origin,” Aina said.
He added that the opportunity to link up with the Super Eagles felt right at the time, prompting him to commit fully. “The opportunity came for me and I thought it was the right one at that time, so I took it with both hands, and I’m here today.”
Aina’s decision came after he had already represented England extensively at youth levels, from the U16s up to the U20s, with a call-up to the U21 squad in 2015. The turning point arrived in March 2017 when Nigeria invited him to train with the senior team in London. He ultimately made his senior debut for the Super Eagles later that year and has since earned numerous caps, featuring in major tournaments including three Africa Cup of Nations campaigns.
The defender also spoke warmly about his family’s reaction to his choice, noting their immense pride whenever he pulls on the green and white jersey. “My family are very proud of me, especially when I wear the Super Eagles shirt. They love it more than me. Even for me, it’s a privilege; it’s an honour. It’s amazing to actually play for them,” he shared in the interview.
Aina’s comments come as he continues to enjoy a strong spell at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, where his consistent performances at right-back have drawn praise. The revelation provides fresh insight into one of several high-profile cases of Nigerian-origin players opting to represent the Super Eagles rather than England in recent years.
Since committing to Nigeria, Aina has become a reliable figure in the national team setup, contributing both defensively and with forward runs from the flank. His story underscores the growing appeal of the Super Eagles to players with dual heritage seeking to embrace their parental roots on the international stage.
