Former Fenerbahçe star reveals why he chose Nigeria over England

Bright Osayi-Samuel has spoken openly about the personal journey that led him to commit his international future to Nigeria, despite spending most of his life in England and being eligible to represent the Three Lions, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Birmingham City right-back, who previously starred for Turkish giants Fenerbahçe, said the pull of his roots and the strong bond within the Super Eagles squad made the decision feel natural when the opportunity finally arrived.

Born in Okija to parents from the West African nation but raised in England for 14 years, Osayi-Samuel had followed both football cultures closely. While England offered exposure and elite development, he explained that Nigeria always held a special place in his heart.

I’ve always wanted to play for Nigeria because it’s a country my parents are deeply proud of. So when I got the call, it felt like a huge honour.

Bright Osayi-Samuel shared this and more during a thought-provoking and insightful one-hour conversation with me. Out soon on YouTube… pic.twitter.com/rNo2eywm0E

— Oma Akatugba (@omaakatugba) February 10, 2026

His international career was formally sealed when he made his competitive debut in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea-Bissau under former coach José Peseiro, a cap-tying appearance that ended any speculation about a possible switch.

That choice was further justified during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where Osayi-Samuel became a key figure in Nigeria’s defensive unit, starting six of the team’s seven matches and playing almost every minute of the campaign.

Bright Osayi-Samuel Samuel: Nigeria over England

Reflecting on whether he might have chosen England if a senior call-up had arrived earlier, Osayi-Samuel pointed to the cultural grounding given by his parents.

“I was so heavily influenced by my country, with my dad and mum immersing me in Nigerian culture,” Osayi-Samuel told OmaSportsTV.

“Going to Nigerian weddings, enjoying the food and everything, playing in England means you start to play with players who represent their countries, and you start to see the value of playing for England.

“But in terms of playing football, some people might say playing for England is better, but you don’t get the other side of it. In terms of the togetherness and the vibes, I don’t think you would see that playing for England.

“Of course, football comes first… And when you come to the Nigeria setup, that’s exactly how it is, everyone is having fun… This is one of the reasons I will always choose Nigeria first.”

He added that representing Nigeria allowed him to connect with extended family and supporters back home, describing Afcon as a way to ‘give something back’.

Now 28, Osayi-Samuel has earned 32 caps for the Super Eagles and helped Nigeria claim bronze at the 2025 tournament after victory over Egypt in the third-place play-off.