For many British Nigerians, reconnecting with their heritage is no longer simply about remembering where they come from, it’s about actively living, learning and reshaping culture in the diaspora. Ife Akintobi-Akinwale, founder of For the Love of Yorùbá (FTLOY), is at the heart of that movement, creating spaces where the wider Yorùbá diaspora can reconnect with Yorùbá language, Nigerian heritage, culture and community. What began as a handful of voice notes shared between friends during maternity leave has grown into a thriving cultural lifestyle brand, bringing people together through language practice, community events and shared experiences. In this Home From Home interview, Ife reflects on British Nigerian identity, cultural heritage, belonging and the future of the diaspora and why community-led learning could play a vital role in preserving language and traditions for generations to come.
Tell us about yourself
I’m Ife Akintobi-Akinwale ,founder of For the love of Yorùbá (FTLOY), a cultural lifestyle brand reconnecting the diaspora with Yorùbá language, heritage and community. I host events where people can practice speaking Yorùbá in a safe space, alongside community gatherings where the diaspora connect. What began as a few voice notes between friends on my maternity leave has grown into a thriving community.
What does ‘Home From Home’ mean to you?
It means upholding our traditional values in the diaspora but also adding our own flair to it. I like to say we’ve created subcultures meaning we honour the cultures from back home while acknowledging the new ones we develop as children of the diaspora. That’s what For the love of Yorùbá is about, honouring our culture and learning it in a way that represents us.
How do you celebrate your Nigerian heritage?
Nigerian culture is vast, with many subcultures and languages so I celebrate it by acknowledging both our similarities and our differences. It’s not really a celebration, it’s more of a way of life and a continued sense of pride. But with that being said, Nigerians do know how to have a good time! I honour my heritage in various ways, big and small such as learning Yorùbá, cooking traditional dishes like Iyan and Egusi stew and immersing myself in the culture and its history.
What does being ‘British Nigerian’ mean to you?
It means living in two worlds without choosing between them. I speak Yorùbá with my Nigerian friends and I’m rooted in Black British culture too such as the emergence of Garage, Grime music and other genres, the way we talk, the nuances in our language, how we dress etc. For a long time some treated it as either you’re ‘too British’ or ‘not Nigerian enough. I’ve made peace with both and being British Nigerian is a superpower.
How do you stay connected to your identity?
Through community and connection, speaking to elders, learning, reading and going back to Nigeria whenever I can.
What does culture mean to you?
Culture is lived. It’s experienced and it’s passed down through generations. It can be shared, practised and celebrated. That’s the beauty of being Black British, we get to experience, honour and respect various cultures first hand and all at once.
The future of the British Nigerian community (based on your industry)
I think we’re at the start of an era of reclamation. The second and third generations are not content with trying to understand their heritage from the sidelines any more, they’re being intentional about learning and upholding it. There’s a shift happening and it will only continue. My prediction is that community led learning becomes the standard, for example, culture learned through connection and lived experience rather than textbooks. It’s why we’re seeing the rise of third spaces across the board and that intentionality is exactly what will help us preserve the languages and cultural traditions.
Connect with FTLOY on social media
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@fortheloveofyoruba
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fortheloveofyoruba/
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