Between Brazil and Portugal, a Scholar Redefines Identity and Migration

Amina Bawa, a researcher with Brazilian and Nigerian roots, has built a unique academic and personal journey between Brazil, Portugal, and her family's heritage. Born in Rio de Janeiro, she identifies as 100% Brazilian and carioca, while embracing her 50% Nigerian background—a connection she maintains through close ties with relatives, despite never visiting the country.

Bawa's academic focus explores Blackness and Afro-Brazilian relations, though she finds it difficult to study Black entrepreneurship within traditional scholarly frameworks. She encourages researchers to include personal experiences in their work, arguing that individual perspectives enrich academic discussions.

Her move to Portugal in 2016 coincided with Brazil's political turmoil, including the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff. She described the country as a temporary 'oasis' amid upheaval. Yet, her travels—often solo—have also brought political 'reality checks' and personal challenges, shaping her view of migration and identity.

Beyond research, Bawa acts as an informal advisor for those considering study or relocation to Portugal. Her insights come as the country grapples with its own shifts: rising political polarisation, immigration pressures, and stricter property laws targeting illegal occupations. The 2026 presidential election, won by Socialist António José Seguro over populist André Ventura, signalled resistance to far-right growth, even as debates on migration and integration persist.

Her father left Brazil when she was young, pursued education in Nigeria, and later died before she could connect with that part of her heritage. Today, she splits her time between Portugal and Brazil, navigating the contrasts between how each country engages with Black identity and history.

Bawa's work bridges personal history, academic inquiry, and the lived experiences of migration. Her story reflects broader tensions in Portugal's evolving political and social landscape, where immigration policies, electoral shifts, and cultural identity remain central. Meanwhile, her research continues to challenge conventional approaches to studying Black communities in business and beyond.