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Original poster

Am I English or Nigerian? Both?

59 replies

Dami090496 · 03/12/2023 21:13

My parents are Nigerian, Mum is technically British Nigerian as she was born in London.

Ok so I was born and raised in London till age 13. Spent 2-3 years of childhood in Nigeria in between.

I went to Nigeria at age 13.

Spent my teenage years and tiny bit of adulthood and came back to England at age 21.

I have been living in London ever since.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dami090496 · 03/12/2023 22:21

@Kendodd yep I have both passports. I am dual citizen

OP posts:
Original poster
Dami090496 · 03/12/2023 22:23

@theduchessofspork

Absolutely its a bit of gift as well when it comes to watching National football, as I have 2 teams to support at the same time 😂

OP posts:
Tulipsroses · 03/12/2023 22:24

I think the British class system (the way you speak, dress, hobbies and tastes) always dominate societal hierarchy. When you have an accent or look differently you will always be judged as an alien. When I was younger I tried to fit in but then realized that there is no point I will always be judged as a foreigner so I just accepted it.

DownNative · 03/12/2023 22:29

Dami090496 · 03/12/2023 22:15

I feel exactly the same with British. Its too broad for my liking.

I know alot of people say British but I prefer English as it recognizes that I am from England.

In that case, English would simply be your regional identity. Its not a nationality.

British is a nationality as is Nigerian.

So, two nationalities and one regional identity. In short, British, Nigerian and English.

ExcellentFabulous · 03/12/2023 22:54

I don't see why you need to choose. You're both. Or you're English/British with Nigerian heritage. Or you're born in England and grew up in both England and Nigeria.

No need to choose one or the other or 'feel' one or the other when you can do both.

Petitedress · 03/12/2023 23:02

Depends on whether you mean ethnically or nationality. My mum was born in England but her parents are from Asia. She's British/English by birth and upbringing, but not ethnically. I am mixed race because my dad is white English.

Shalopea · 03/12/2023 23:42

DownNative · 03/12/2023 22:29

In that case, English would simply be your regional identity. Its not a nationality.

British is a nationality as is Nigerian.

So, two nationalities and one regional identity. In short, British, Nigerian and English.

Show quote history

I don’t agree with this. England, Wales, NI and Scotland are countries, and each of them has its own language, culture and law. England is a nation and English is a nationality. A regional identity would be Cockney or Geordie or something, which sits within Englishness, which sits within Britishness.

Original poster
Dami090496 · 03/12/2023 23:43

@Thatswhy11 I think even when raised in London, I had a sense of belonging with my heritage still.

So I could say my family culture mixed with integrating with English culture through friends/schooling makes me have the best of both worlds.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dami090496 · 03/12/2023 23:47

@Shalopea. I agree mate. My regional identity would be a Londoner.

Nationalities would be British, English (sub nationality) and Nigerian.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dami090496 · 03/12/2023 23:50

@Petitedress

Yeah different aspects. Nationalities/culture/ethnicity would be different for each.

My nationalities would be British/English/Nigerian
Culturally I am all 3
Ethnicity - Nigerian descent

Thats the way I see it

OP posts:
OnBoardTheHeartOfGold · 03/12/2023 23:54

I've never identified as English, only British.
I've always felt that English is an ethnicity and British is the nationality ? Not sure if I'm right or not but I'm not ethnically English.

mumda · 04/12/2023 00:02

If England were playing Nigeria in the world cup final who would you support?

Do you need a label?

Wednesday6 · 04/12/2023 00:11

You can feel both or it can change throughout lifetime, you can feel more Nigerian, or more British.

WhenLoveIsDone · 04/12/2023 07:37

OnBoardTheHeartOfGold · 03/12/2023 23:54

I've never identified as English, only British.
I've always felt that English is an ethnicity and British is the nationality ? Not sure if I'm right or not but I'm not ethnically English.

By that reasoning, Bukayo Saka wouldn't be English... when he is one of England's greatest hopes.

By that reasoning too I am English (because I am ethnically) even though I am not British (and don't intend ever to be though I have leave to remain).

Westfacing · 04/12/2023 07:49

"But where are you really from?" We all know that one, usually based on physical appearance.

When I was visiting a friend in California she was asked by another American where she's from, the US, where are your parents from, the US, but where were they really from, etc.

My friend's paternal ancestor was a Chinese railroad worker who arrived in California around 1870 - I reckon that makes her American without further explanation!

RedPanda2022 · 04/12/2023 07:50

Do you need to be one or the other?

ruby1957 · 04/12/2023 08:12

British NOT English.

Petitedress · 04/12/2023 08:18

Dami090496 · 03/12/2023 23:50

@Petitedress

Yeah different aspects. Nationalities/culture/ethnicity would be different for each.

My nationalities would be British/English/Nigerian
Culturally I am all 3
Ethnicity - Nigerian descent

Thats the way I see it

I think if you say you're English Nigerian it makes you sound mixed race. I'm mixed race and I mention English and another country because I'm half of each. You would be British Nigerian because British is your nationality. I know it's only one word but to me the second term doesn't sound mixed race.

jobono · 04/12/2023 08:32

I'd say you were British of Nigerian descent but as you've lived in Nigerian as well then you are also Nigerian. Its probably up to you, how you feel comfortable identifying.

madeinmanc · 04/12/2023 08:45

I think you are both English and Nigerian, the strength of the Nigerian part is a little undefined because you were born here and were raised here. But we don't need to qualify either one.

madeinmanc · 04/12/2023 08:47

ruby1957 · 04/12/2023 08:12

British NOT English.

Woah, on what basis are you saying this? You're on very shaky ground there.

madeinmanc · 04/12/2023 08:48

English is not the ethnicity, if Scotland goes independent this line of thinking will be shown up for the absolute tosh that it is.

Rosecutting · 04/12/2023 08:56

British of Nigerian descent ?

My mum was born and raised in European Meditaranean country and although I’m officially British, I consider my self to be only part British.

I would say my general outlook on life as well as my taste in food derives from my mum’s culture and background.

SuePine69 · 04/12/2023 08:59

Are the only two options British or Nigerian? If you speak Yoruba (for example) and you like to watch Yoruba films and like traditional Yoruba food then perhaps you could consider yourself Yoruba? Yoruba or Ibo or Hausa are cultures as well as languages unlike 'British' or 'Nigerian' which are just nationality.

wudubelieveit · 04/12/2023 09:19

I'd say British (or English if thats your preference)of Nigerian descent .I use British for myself as I have various other things(including home nations and european) in the mix but i think that perfectly describes British people , we are an island nation so many other nationalities have contributed to our ancestry.