Every parent wants their child to succeed in life. For most Nigerian parents in the UK, success means more than just good grades or a high-paying job — it also means raising confident, disciplined young people who can thrive in a new country while staying grounded in their values.
Research shows that long-term success isn’t only about academic performance. It’s about a set of core life skills known as executive function skills — the abilities that help young people manage themselves, make good decisions, and cope with challenges.
These skills are especially important during adolescence (ages 13–26) — a crucial stage for many Nigerian families navigating UK schools, identity, peer pressure, and independence.
Below are five essential skills teens need, and practical ways Nigerian parents in the UK can encourage them.
1. Planning: Learning to Take Responsibility
Planning is the ability to set goals and follow through on them.
As Nigerian parents, it’s natural to want to organise everything for our children. But teens need space to learn how to plan for themselves — especially in the UK system, where independence is expected early.
What you can do:
- Set clear family expectations (schoolwork completed, enough sleep, household responsibilities).
- Avoid micromanaging — let your teen figure out how to meet those expectations.
- Involve them in planning family events, trips, church activities, or holiday travel.
- When it comes to GCSEs, A-levels, apprenticeships, or university applications, talk through timelines — but let them lead.
2. Focus: Managing Distractions in a Digital World
Phones, TikTok, gaming, and social media can make it hard for teens to concentrate — especially when balancing school and home expectations.
What you can do:
- Have honest conversations about how social media affects schoolwork, sleep, and mental health.
- Create screen-free times, especially during meals or family discussions.
- Encourage offline skills like cooking Nigerian meals, drawing, music, sports, or volunteering.
- Help them create simple routines for homework and revision.
3. Self-Control: Managing Emotions and Stress
Teenagers experience strong emotions — and living between cultures can make things even more intense for Nigerian teens in the UK.
Remember: children learn emotional control by watching how adults respond.
What you can do:
- Talk openly about emotions — anger, frustration, disappointment.
- Teach simple coping strategies: deep breathing, stepping away, journaling, prayer, or talking it out.
- After conflicts, revisit the situation calmly: What happened? What could we do differently next time?
- Explain how actions affect others — at home, in school, and in the wider community.
4. Awareness: Understanding the World Beyond Themselves
Awareness means understanding other people, cultures, and perspectives — a key skill for Nigerian teens growing up in multicultural Britain.
What you can do:
- Discuss UK and global news together — especially stories affecting young people, migrants, or communities.
- Encourage curiosity about different cultures while reinforcing pride in Nigerian identity.
- Get involved in community, church, or volunteering activities.
- Create regular family check-ins where everyone shares how their day went.
5. Flexibility: Adapting When Life Changes
Life doesn’t always go as planned — and flexibility helps teens cope when things don’t work out.
What you can do:
- Don’t overload your teen’s schedule. Help them prioritise what truly matters.
- Encourage healthy spontaneity — not everything has to follow a strict plan.
- Model flexibility yourself. When plans change, show calm problem-solving.
- Allow room for mistakes. Failure can be a powerful teacher if handled with support, not shame.
Final Thought for Parents
Raising teens in the UK comes with unique challenges — cultural differences, school pressures, and identity struggles. While it’s important to guide and protect them, teens also need space to try, fail, learn, and grow.
Sometimes, stepping back is just as powerful as stepping in.
With patience, consistency, and understanding, Nigerian parents in the UK can raise resilient young people who are confident in both who they are and where they’re going.
Join Our WhatsApp Channel
Stay updated on the latest UK news, including education, health, job openings, and more for those living in the UK!
Join here: Naija UK Channel
Also, follow us on our social media channels for the latest updates and discussions:
- Twitter: @NaijaUKConnect
- Facebook: Naija UK Connect
- Instagram: @naijaukconnect
