Nottingham Forest Defender Ola Aina's Nationality Switch: Reasons Revealed

Sportsdunia Desk

Published - May 01, 2026, 07:52 AM

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Nottingham Forest Defender Ola Aina's Nationality Switch: Reasons Revealed

Summary

Nigeria defender Ola Aina recently revealed why he switched to represent the Super Eagles instead of England.
The Nottingham Forest player had a sit-down interview with the club's YouTube channel and revealed his change of allegiance happened when he was 20.
A major reason for Ola Aina' nationality switch to Nigeria lies with his parents, who hail from the country even if their son was born in London, United Kingdom.

Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina recently opened up to fans about why he switched his national allegiance from England to Nigeria. The former Chelsea academy star had decided to play for Nigeria when he turned 20 years old and revealed his reasons recently during a sit-down interview with the club's official YouTube channel.

The Super Eagles defender was born to Nigerian parents who lived in Southwark, London, and eventually became a mainstay in the England youth setup during his younger years. Ola Aina climbed up the ranks impressively from the U16 level to the U20 level, while collecting over 20 caps for the Young Lions.

The Ola Aina's nationality switch was a subject that was broached during his NFFC YouTube interview, where he revealed:

“Born and raised in London and decided to play for Nigeria. It's just a decision that I made when I was about 20. That's where my parents are from. That's my origin. So 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. Yeah, my family, they're very proud of, especially when I wear the Super Eagle shirt. They love it. I think they love it more than me. Even for myself, it's a privilege, it's an honour. Yes, it's amazing to actually play for them."

How Has Ola Aina Performed For Nigeria?

The 29-year-old made his debut for the Super Eagles on October 7, 2017 against Zambia during a World Cup qualifier at left-back. He has since gone on to manage 48 appearances for the Nigeria National Football Team.

Aina was a crucial member of the country's 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) run to the Final against the Ivory Coast. He was deployed in midfield and defence sporadically, where he showcased his versatility to play multiple positions and be an asset for the Super Eagles.