‘My Mum couldn’t afford to take me home’: Ola Aina on his emotional first visit to Nigeria through Super Eagles call-up

Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina has revealed that his very first visit to Nigeria came only after he earned his maiden invitation to the Super Eagles, marking a profound turning point in both his football career and personal journey.

Speaking in an interview with TNT Sport, the 28-year-old right-back, who now boasts 46 international caps for Nigeria, reflected on how financial limitations meant he never had the opportunity to visit his ancestral homeland during childhood.

‘When I was younger, my mum did not have the money to take me back home, so I had not gone back to Nigeria until the first time I actually played for Nigeria. It was crazy. It was a surreal moment for me, bro,’ Aina said.

Aina, who made his senior debut for Nigeria in 2017 while on loan at Hull City from Chelsea, described the experience as unforgettable. Despite being born in England and raised in London, he said his mother’s desire to take him to Nigeria always remained, though circumstances didn’t allow it.

‘She always wanted to take me back home when I was younger, but she couldn’t. And as I was getting older, football was getting more serious, and I didn’t have the time. So I was back when I started playing for Nigeria, and it was an amazing feeling.’

Recalling his early days with the Super Eagles, Aina credited a few familiar faces for easing his transition into the squad setup. At the time, he connected with teammates like Alex Iwobi—his childhood friend—alongside William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun, and Kelechi Iheanacho, all of whom were playing in Europe.

‘When I first went, it was only Alex that was there. Then now-captain Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun, and Kelechi. So those were the four players I could really mingle with… Alex was obviously my boy from knee high… so my transition into that team and setup was smooth,’ he said.

Despite recent concerns from fans over the Super Eagles’ inconsistency and underwhelming performances, Aina was quick to praise the unwavering support the national team receives from Nigerian fans.

‘The love we get in Nigeria is second to none; it’s mental. I went there and they shouted my name like I won the Ballon d’Or before. It’s nuts bro.’

Coming off what many consider to be the most successful season of his career, Aina played a pivotal role for Nottingham Forest, helping them secure a UEFA Europa Conference League slot. His standout performances even led some football pundits to label him the best right-back in the Premier League for the season.