Old School Norway — Nigerian Culture and Community in Oslo

Our Story

A Home Away From Home

Old School Norway was started by Nigerians living in Oslo who understood what it means to raise children far from home. They saw how easy it is for the next generation to grow up without a real connection to where they come from, and decided to do something about it.

2023 Founded by the
community, for the community

2025 Officially registered
in Norway

Non-profit
Association
Org. Nr. 934235398

About Us

Built on Culture, Community and Belonging

Old School Norway is a registered non-profit association serving the Nigerian community in Oslo. We bring together children, teenagers, parents and young adults through cultural programs, community events and initiatives that celebrate Nigerian identity while supporting integration into Norwegian society.

We started in 2023, driven by a simple observation: Nigerian families in Norway were missing a space that truly understood them. A place where their culture was celebrated, their children were seen, and their community could come together without explanation or apology. In 2025, we became officially registered in Norway, marking a significant step in our commitment to serving this community long-term.

Growing up between two cultures is not always straightforward. Children born or raised in Norway often navigate two worlds at once, Norwegian at school and Nigerian at home, without much structured support that honours both. We are here to bridge that gap, and to make sure no family has to figure it out alone.

See Our Programs

What We Do

Three Pillars. One Community.

01 📚

Cultural Education

We teach Nigerian children and youth about their heritage through workshops, storytelling sessions and hands-on activities. Culture is not something you read about. It is something you live. Our programs make sure the next generation gets to experience it firsthand.

02 🤝

Community Programs

Isolation is one of the real challenges facing Nigerian families in Norway, especially those without extended family nearby. We run community events, family programs and integration workshops that bring people together and build the kind of social network that makes a real difference.

03 🌱

Youth Development

For teenagers and young adults, we create structured opportunities including paid roles at our events. These are real responsibilities with real income, designed to keep young people engaged, build practical experience and invest in their future.

Featured Program Upcoming

Roots and Identity Program

This is our flagship initiative, a structured, full-day program where Nigerian children and young people come together to learn, cook, create and connect through their shared culture. The date has not yet been confirmed, but planning is well underway and registration interest is already open.

The program is designed for children and young people between the ages of 3 and 17. Participants will be grouped into age-specific categories to make sure every activity is appropriate, engaging and genuinely useful for each stage of development. Whether a child is 4 or 16, the experience will be shaped to meet them where they are.

Participants learn to prepare traditional Nigerian meals, hear stories about Nigerian history and traditions, and take part in activities that bring their heritage to life in a fun and supervised environment. Parents benefit too, with a full day of trusted childcare giving them space to rest, run errands or simply breathe.

The program also creates real paid roles for teenagers and young adults, who take on responsibilities as child minders, event coordinators and cultural facilitators. This is about more than cooking. It is about identity, pride, community and the next generation knowing exactly where they come from.

Children: Ages 3 to 16 Youth Staff: Ages 16 to 30

Traditional Nigerian cooking and food culture
Cultural storytelling, history and heritage sessions
Age-grouped activities for children aged 3 to 17
Structured supervision in a safe environment
Paid employment for youth aged 16 to 30
Full-day respite care for parents and guardians

Program Details

Open to children aged 3 to 16 and youth aged 16 to 30
Full-day format with structured activities from morning to evening
Age-specific groupings throughout the day
Run by trusted community members
Bilingual delivery in English and Norwegian
All materials and refreshments provided
Date to be announced

"Every child who learns to cook Nigerian food and knows the story behind it is a child who knows where they come from."

Why This Matters

The Problem We Are Solving

Thousands of Nigerian children are growing up in Norway without a real connection to their culture. They attend Norwegian schools, speak Norwegian with their friends and navigate a Norwegian world, yet at home, they belong to a completely different heritage. Without structured support, that heritage quietly fades.

At the same time, many Nigerian teenagers have little to do during school holidays and free time. Without structure, idleness becomes a real risk. And many parents, often raising children entirely alone and without family nearby, are exhausted and isolated, with no community to lean on.

Old School Norway exists to address all of this, directly, practically and with genuine care.

Cultural Disconnection

Children growing up without their cultural identity lose an essential part of who they are. We provide the programs and environment that keep that identity alive and meaningful.

Youth Without Structure

Teenagers without structured activities are more vulnerable to negative influences. We create positive, productive alternatives, including real paid opportunities that give young people purpose and income.

Isolated Families

Nigerian parents in Norway often have no support network. We build the community that gives families a place to belong and people they can actually rely on.

Integration Without Identity Loss

Being Nigerian and being Norwegian are not opposites. We help families integrate fully into Norwegian society without losing the culture that defines them.

Our Impact

What We Are Building

Every program we run, every family we reach and every young person we support is part of something larger. We are building a stronger, more connected Nigerian community in Norway.

🌍

Strengthening Cultural Identity

Nigerian children in Norway grow up knowing who they are and where they come from, because we make that possible through hands-on, joyful learning.

❤️

Creating Real Belonging

We reduce isolation for families who feel invisible in Norway by building a community where every Nigerian family is seen, welcomed and supported.

👨‍👩‍👧

Supporting Families

We give parents access to trusted child supervision and cultural care, along with the rare opportunity to rest. A supported parent is a stronger parent.

⚡

Engaging Youth Positively

Teenagers and young adults gain structured activities, paid employment, mentorship and a sense of purpose that keeps them moving forward.

🇳🇴

Supporting Integration

We help Nigerian families navigate Norwegian systems, language and civic life so they can participate fully in the country they now call home.

🔗

Building Community Infrastructure

We are creating a lasting organisation that Nigerian families in Norway can rely on for years, not just for one event, but for ongoing support and connection.

Community

Where Community Happens

Our events are more than gatherings. They are spaces where culture is celebrated, friendships are made and families find their people in Norway.

Cultural Heritage Day at Old School Norway

Cultural Heritage Day Honouring our roots, celebrating our future

Nigerian Culinary Experience at Old School Norway

Nigerian Culinary Experience Children learning to cook traditional meals

Community Gathering at Old School Norway

Community Gathering Stronger together, rooted in culture

📷 Follow us on @oldschoolnorway on Instagram to see our latest events, programs and community moments.

Get Involved

Help Us Build a Stronger Community

Old School Norway is a community-led, community-funded organisation. Everything we do is made possible by people who believe in the value of culture, identity and belonging. If that sounds like you, there is a place for you here.

💛

Donate

A financial contribution, large or small, goes directly toward our programs, venue costs, youth staff wages and community events. Every krone makes a real difference to a real family.

🤝

Partner With Us

We welcome partnerships with organisations, businesses, institutions and funders who share our values. If your mission touches community, culture or youth, we would love to talk.

✋

Volunteer

We are always looking for passionate people to support our programs, whether in event coordination, teaching, facilitation, or simply showing up and helping where needed. You are welcome here.

Contact

Let's Talk

Whether you want to learn more about our programs, discuss a partnership or simply get in touch, we would love to hear from you. Reach out and someone from our team will get back to you.

oldschoolnorway@gmail.com

Location

Oslo, Norway

Organisation Number

934 235 398

Send Us a Message

We usually respond within a few business days.

Rooted in Culture. Building Community in Norway.