Birmingham City right-back Bright Osayi-Samuel says his decision to represent Nigeria instead of England was influenced by his upbringing, family ties and his experience with the Super Eagles.
Osayi-Samuel, who was eligible to play for both countries, said his parents ensured he grew up connected to Nigerian culture.
“My friends have also asked me the same question. For me, because I was so strongly influenced by my country, with my dad and mum exposing me to Nigerian culture, attending Nigerian weddings, enjoying the food and everything, playing in England means you start to play with players who represent their own countries, and you start to understand the importance of playing for England,” he said on OmaSportsTV.
“But when it comes to playing football, some people might think playing for England is better, but you don’t experience the other side of it.
“When it comes to how the team works together and the overall feeling, I don’t think you’d notice that kind of connection if you were playing for England.”
The 28-year-old was born in Okija, Anambra State, to Nigerian parents but lived in England for 14 years, making him eligible for the Three Lions.
He said his desire to represent Nigeria was long-standing.
“But in my mind, I always wanted to play for Nigeria. Nigeria is a country that my mum and dad are really proud of, and I’m proud of it too. For me, getting a call-up was an honor,” he said.
The defender made his first competitive appearance for Nigeria in a World Cup qualifier against Guinea-Bissau under former coach José Peseiro, a match that marked his official commitment to the Super Eagles.
He has since earned 32 caps, having earlier featured in a friendly against Portugal.
Osayi-Samuel played a key role in Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, starting six of the team’s seven matches.
He featured in the semifinal against Morocco in Rabat, where Nigeria held their opponents goalless for 120 minutes before losing on penalties.
Reflecting on team spirit within the national side, he said the atmosphere in camp influenced his decision.
“See Fulham – the way Bassey, Alex, and Samuel laugh and have fun together comes from the team’s energy and how much they love being part of it.
“I can tell that every single day they are having a great time. When you get to the Nigeria setup, that’s exactly how it is, everyone is having fun.
“You never see any bad feelings; even the players who aren’t playing are smiling and excited about the game and training. This is one of the reasons I will always choose Nigeria first.”
Osayi-Samuel began his professional career as a winger before switching to right-back during his time at Turkish club Fenerbahçe.
“I don’t know if many people know this, but I started out as a winger – right wing, left wing.
“It was when I signed with Fenerbahçe that they wanted me to play as a right-back. At first, I didn’t like it, but over time I started playing more in that position and learning more about it.
“But then I got the chance to play for Nigeria – that’s when I was called up. So I thought, if this is how I get to play for Nigeria, I’ll take it because I’ve always dreamed of representing Nigeria.
“When I got the call asking if I wanted to play as a right-back, I was really excited. That’s one of the main reasons I took the role seriously, because it was a chance for me to play right-back for both my club and my country. Like I said, I’ve never looked back.”
He said family connections in Nigeria also shaped his choice.
“There are a lot of family friends and relatives in Nigeria. Every time, they say that I have a lot of family back home who are trying to support me. Tournaments like Afcon are a way for me to give something back to them.
“Even after the tournament, the love and messages I’ve gotten from people back home have been really amazing. I’ve begun meeting new people because of this tournament, and that’s something I really enjoy and love. This is one of the reasons I will always want to play for Nigeria.”
