Birmingham City right-back Bright Osayi-Samuel has opened up about his decision to represent Nigeria ahead of England, revealing that his deep-rooted connection to his heritage and the strong sense of unity within the squad convinced him to choose the Super Eagles.

Osayi-Samuel played a prominent role in Nigeria's campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, starting six of the team’s seven matches.

His most notable display came in the high-stakes semifinal against Morocco in Rabat, where he delivered an assured defensive performance.

With Nigeria adopting a disciplined, defence-first approach, the Super Eagles held the Atlas Lions at bay for 120 minutes before eventually bowing out on penalties.

Born in Okija to Nigerian parents, Osayi-Samuel was also eligible to represent England, having spent fourteen years living there.

He made his competitive senior debut for Nigeria in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea-Bissau under then head coach José Peseiro, a cap-tying appearance that formally sealed his international allegiance.

For many dual-national footballers, the choice of which country to represent is complex, shaped by culture, opportunity, and personal values, with Nigeria often emerging as the natural first choice when a second nation is no longer feasible.

When asked if he would have played for England had the opportunity arisen, Osayi-Samuel reflected on his upbringing and cultural influences.

"My friends have asked me this question as well. For me, because I was so heavily influenced by my country — with my dad and mum immersing me in Nigerian culture, 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," Osayi-Samuel said on OmaSportsTV.

"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. Look at Fulham — the way Bassey, Alex and Samuel joke around comes from the vibes and how much they are enjoying it. I can tell that every single day they are having fun.

"And when you come to the Nigeria setup, that’s exactly how it is — everyone is having fun. You never see any negativity; even the players who don’t play are smiling and looking forward to the game and training. This is one of the reasons I will always choose Nigeria first."