Am I English or Nigerian? Both?

[Dami090496]

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.

@mumda . Thats a tough one, leaning towards England.

I have both 3 lions and super eagles shirts and rep passionately

But I won't be sad if Nigeria wins. That's the way I am feeling😂

@Lizzieregina, for me personally I would say you are English with Irish Heritage. Got both in you since you grew up in both.

Of course which ever way you feel comfortable identifying is ultimately up to you 😁

I'm American so combo identities are natural.

Americans say we are American first (by choice, place of main residence and citizenship), but with varieties due to our heritage, so Nigerian (adjective) British (noun) for OP is equivalent. Nigerian-Londoner is fine, so why not say Nigerian English too.

Friend is Aussie-Chinese-British-Canadian (but mostly Canadian).

I'm not sure I know how to define English, though.

Hmm I would say British Nigerian because that covers your nationality and ethnicity. English was an old ethnic identity used to describe the white English, a bit like we had Teutons, Anglo Saxons etc. Every other country your identity is your nationality - and if you have dual you can choose. I'm British Indian and I consider my partner British English because he is 5th generation born and bred Londoner and i don't have the same identity as him. And I don't feel uncomfortable negating his culture, history and customs just to feel a sense of belonging. I can belong by feeling and being British which also allows me to maintain my Indian culture, history and customs.

I guess it's a bit like a white English person born to white English parents in Nigeria could call themselves Nigerian but if they started calling themselves Yoruban, that might be considered odd?

I think an interesting way of looking at this is actually by considering east London. So you have the cockneys who are white English and the Bangladeshis who are British Asian living side by side. While they may have many similarities in the TV they watch, the sports they follow, the food they eat and how they live - they have different culture, history, customs and even they way they speak. In this case maintaining a separate English identity is important too.

@xanadu123

Absolutely I am happy to tell people I am British Nigerian.

But if I say British, i got to say born in England or from England.

Like i think people see English as more a nationality or culture. Thats what I am talking about. I am not talking about it in terms of anglo saxon heritage terms

So you can celebrate Englishness and heritage as well.

In Scotland, Wales, Scottish and Welsh are celebrated as National identities irrespective of ancestry, so surely English is?

Not saying am I wrong or right but thats my perspective. 😁

@xanadu123

I think we are English in terms of nationality/culturally, but not English in ancestry

I'd imagine you would lean more towards Nigeria if you were living there if they were in the world cup though 😂

I think you need to ask Kemi Badenoch. She's sometimes described as British-Nigerian, but I can see why that compound is awkward when you spent your childhood and teenage years in both countries. Maybe you're most of all a Londoner, like the rest of us slightly confused people?