The Talib-Osos
This is the Talib-Oso family. They are from Lagos, Nigeria. They live in Houston, TX. According to the American Community Survey there are 461,695 U.S. residents that report Nigerian descent — in Houston there are approx. 150,000. In 2002 Jayeola Oso immigrated to America alone to prepare a home for his family, and after 11 years, the Talib-Osos were all reunited in Houston, TX.
Photography by RIOT MUSE
Styling by Alexander-Julian
Toyin Talib-Oso, 48
What is an American?
An American is any person that is born in the United States of America.
What are Nigerian values?
Helping one another and Love.
What does the American Dream mean to you?
Having My Family and Children live a great life in this country.
Who is able to thrive in the United States of America?
Whoever can work hard and is not lazy.
Who dies in the United States of America?
If you don’t work hard or hustle you will die in this country.
Are you free in the United States of America?
Yes I’m free.
Are you patriotic towards the United States of America?
Yes I’m a good citizen of America.
Are you patriotic towards your country of origin?
Yeah I’m also a good citizen of Nigeria.
Why did you emigrate from Nigeria?
I came to join my husband and children so we can live a better life. Because my country Nigeria is in “Gods Hand.”
What is your favorite thing about the United States of America?
I like that it’s a free country and a land of opportunity
What is your least favorite thing about the United States of America?
GUN! GUN! Gun Violence is a lot.
What would you like to see happen in the United States of America?
A final End to Racism in this country.
Toyin Talib-Oso wearing AMAO.
An American is any person that is born in the United States of America.
What are Nigerian values?
Helping one another and Love.
What does the American Dream mean to you?
Having My Family and Children live a great life in this country.
Who is able to thrive in the United States of America?
Whoever can work hard and is not lazy.
Who dies in the United States of America?
If you don’t work hard or hustle you will die in this country.
Are you free in the United States of America?
Yes I’m free.
Are you patriotic towards the United States of America?
Yes I’m a good citizen of America.
Are you patriotic towards your country of origin?
Yeah I’m also a good citizen of Nigeria.
Why did you emigrate from Nigeria?
I came to join my husband and children so we can live a better life. Because my country Nigeria is in “Gods Hand.”
What is your favorite thing about the United States of America?
I like that it’s a free country and a land of opportunity
What is your least favorite thing about the United States of America?
GUN! GUN! Gun Violence is a lot.
What would you like to see happen in the United States of America?
A final End to Racism in this country.
Toyin Talib-Oso wearing AMAO.
Olalekan Oso, 24
What is an American?
I would say to be American is to be born here in America.
What are Nigerian values?
Hard-work is the first thing that comes to my mind. Nigerians are pure hustlers.
What does the American Dream mean to you?
The American dream to be is being able to buy my mom a Bentley 😂🤷🏾♂️
What did the American Dream mean to your parents?
To my parents the American dream would be seeing their children be great in life.
Who is able to thrive in the United States of America?
Whoever knows how to hustle/grind nonstop will make it in this country.
Who dies in the United States of America?
The weak and lazy always die.
Are you free in the United States of America?
Yeah that’s the best thing about this country.
Olalekan Oso and Jayeola Oso wearing Kente Gentleman.
Are you patriotic towards the United States of America?
Yeah I would like to think so.
Are you patriotic towards Nigeria?
Yeah I love Nigeria.
Why did you emigrate from Nigeria?
The twins, Kanmi and I had to come link up with my dad over here for the better life in general.
What is your favorite thing about the United States of America?
My favourite thing about this country would be the opportunities available.
What is your least favorite thing about the United States of America?
Would be the police.
What would you like to see happen the United States of America?
A more united United States. That would be nice to see.
I would say to be American is to be born here in America.
What are Nigerian values?
Hard-work is the first thing that comes to my mind. Nigerians are pure hustlers.
What does the American Dream mean to you?
The American dream to be is being able to buy my mom a Bentley 😂🤷🏾♂️
What did the American Dream mean to your parents?
To my parents the American dream would be seeing their children be great in life.
Who is able to thrive in the United States of America?
Whoever knows how to hustle/grind nonstop will make it in this country.
Who dies in the United States of America?
The weak and lazy always die.
Are you free in the United States of America?
Yeah that’s the best thing about this country.
Olalekan Oso and Jayeola Oso wearing Kente Gentleman.
Are you patriotic towards the United States of America?
Yeah I would like to think so.
Are you patriotic towards Nigeria?
Yeah I love Nigeria.
Why did you emigrate from Nigeria?
The twins, Kanmi and I had to come link up with my dad over here for the better life in general.
What is your favorite thing about the United States of America?
My favourite thing about this country would be the opportunities available.
What is your least favorite thing about the United States of America?
Would be the police.
What would you like to see happen the United States of America?
A more united United States. That would be nice to see.
Toyin and Jaye Talib-Oso wearing (L-R) Onyii & Co + UKOO Studios
Jayeola Oso, 49
What is an American?
A citizen of America.
What are Nigerian values?
Education, hard working.
What does the American Dream mean to you?
Liberty and pursuit of happiness.
Who is able to thrive in the United States of America?
Hard working and well determined people.
Who dies in the United States?
Lazy people.
Are you free in the United States of America?
Yes.
Are you patriotic towards the United States of America?
Yes.
Are you patriotic towards your country of origin?
Yes.
Why did you emigrate from Nigeria?
For greener pasture.
What is your favorite thing about the United States of America?
Business opportunities.
What is your least favorite thing about the United States of America?
Access to gun and drug.
What would you like to see happen in the United States of America?
Stricter law on gun access.
A citizen of America.
What are Nigerian values?
Education, hard working.
What does the American Dream mean to you?
Liberty and pursuit of happiness.
Who is able to thrive in the United States of America?
Hard working and well determined people.
Who dies in the United States?
Lazy people.
Are you free in the United States of America?
Yes.
Are you patriotic towards the United States of America?
Yes.
Are you patriotic towards your country of origin?
Yes.
Why did you emigrate from Nigeria?
For greener pasture.
What is your favorite thing about the United States of America?
Business opportunities.
What is your least favorite thing about the United States of America?
Access to gun and drug.
What would you like to see happen in the United States of America?
Stricter law on gun access.
Jaye Talib-Oso and Toyin Talib-Oso holding their youngest son Tolu Talib-Oso all wearing Amao.
Hair & Makeup by Oluchi Ebere. Shot partially at Prauper Studios. Talib-Oso family clothing by AMAO, Emmy Kasbit, Kente Gentleman, Onyii & Co., and UKOO Studios.