Bright Osayi-Samuel has opened up on how family values and cultural identity not career convenience ultimately shaped his decision to represent Nigeria instead of England at international level.

The Super Eagles and Birmingham City defender said his upbringing in a strongly Nigerian household made the choice clear long before his senior international breakthrough, according to Savidnews.

Speaking on OmaSportsTV, the 28 year old explained that regular exposure to Nigerian traditions, celebrations, and lifestyle while growing up built a lasting emotional bond with the country.

“My friends have also asked me the same question,” Osayi-Samuel said.

“I was 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, you start to play with players who represent their own countries, and you begin to understand the importance of international football.”

According to him, being surrounded by Nigerian culture through his parents from weddings to local cuisine and community life reinforced a sense of belonging that outweighed the appeal many associate with playing for England.

Osayi-Samuel noted that while England is often viewed as the bigger platform, the spirit inside the Nigerian national team setup feels more personal and unified. He described the Super Eagles camp as one filled with joy, mutual support, and positive energy even among players not selected for matches.

“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. In the Nigeria setup, everyone is having fun. You never see any bad feelings even 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,” he said.

He also linked his path to international football with his positional reinvention. The defender revealed that his conversion to right back at Turkish club Fenerbahçe a role he initially resisted unexpectedly opened the door to his Nigeria call up.

“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 learning more about the position. Then I got the chance to play for Nigeria, and I thought, if this is how I get to represent my country, I’ll take it because I’ve always dreamed of playing for Nigeria,” he added.

Beyond football, Osayi-Samuel stressed that representing Nigeria brings pride to his parents and gives him a meaningful way to connect with supporters back home, especially during major tournaments like the Africa Cup of Nations.

“Nigeria is a country that my mum and dad are really proud of, and I’m proud of it too. Tournaments like AFCON give me the chance to give something back. 

The love and messages I’ve received from people back home have been really amazing,” Osayi-Samuel said.

Since making his debut against Portugal in a high-profile friendly, he has gone on to earn over 30 caps and remains a consistent presence in the Super Eagles squad.