Ola Aina Reveals Why He Picked Nigeria Over England

Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina has opened up for the first time in detail about the emotional and personal reasons behind his decision to represent Nigeria’s Super Eagles instead of England at the senior international level.

In a candid interview with his club’s media, the 28-year-old full-back revealed that family heritage, a deep sense of identity, and a timely opportunity all converged to guide his choice.

Born and raised in Southwark, London, to Nigerian parents, Aina grew up eligible for two footballing nations. His early career seemed to point toward England: he came through the youth ranks of the Three Lions, featuring at every level from Under-16 to Under-20, and even earned a call-up to the England Under-21 squad in 2015. At that time, a future with the senior England team appeared a realistic possibility.

Yet, as the years passed, that pathway never fully solidified. It was around the age of 20 that Aina began to seriously reconsider his international allegiance. “Born and raised in London, I decided to play for Nigeria. It was just a decision that I made when I was about 20,” he told Nottingham Forest’s media channel. “That’s where my parents are from; that’s my origin.”

The turning point came in March 2017, when Nigeria’s senior team, the Super Eagles, were preparing for a series of fixtures and extended an invitation for Aina to train with them in London.

The opportunity, he said, felt right immediately. “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.”

However, switching allegiance was not straightforward. Having already represented England at youth level, Aina was required to seek formal approval from FIFA to change his international eligibility.

The governing body eventually granted clearance, and in October 2017, he made his competitive debut for Nigeria in a crucial World Cup qualifier against Zambia. The match marked the beginning of a new chapter in his career.