New arrival at Coventry City of England, Taiwo Awoniyi’s community development efforts and social impact during his days at Nottingham Forest are still trending after his exit from the EPL outfit.
Sports247 gathered that, in the wake of Awoniyi’s move to Coventry last week, officials at Forest are eulogising him for his untiring community efforts, which are a common part of his conduct at every point of his professional life.
Awoniyi, who was produced by former Super Eagles’ midfielder, Seyi George Olofinjana’s Imperial Football Academy at Odoogbolu in Ogun State, is also renowned for numerous humanitarian efforts at his ancestral roots in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner with Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets is now being appreciated in Nottingham as well for similar efforts, which the owner of his immediate past club, Evangelos Marinakis, revealed is an important thing the striker will be remembered for.
Marinakis said: “Taiwo will always have a special place in the history of Nottingham Forest. He has been one of the defining figures in our journey and given our supporters moments of great joy that will never be forgotten.
“Throughout his time with us, Taiwo has shown great strength, determination and positivity, overcoming great challenges along the way. He embraced this club from the first day and his passion and character are why he is so loved by everyone connected to Nottingham Forest.
“We thank Taiwo for everything he has given to this club. He leaves with our gratitude, our respect and our very best wishes for the future. He will always be part of the Forest family and will always be welcomed home.”
Sports247 recalls that, in 2025, Awoniyi earned the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Community Champion Award after funding hot meals for vulnerable residents, supporting local social justice groups like the Islamic Himmah, and attending programmes in areas facing poverty or food scarcity.
He was symbolically honoured as Nottingham Forest’s PFA Community Champion for exceptional outreach and leadership off the pitch after he self-funded and personally attended a solidarity fast-breaking event during Ramadan at Himmah’s Hub in Hyson Green, uniting move than 70 residents of varying religions.
Awoniyi also partnered with Nottingham charities to help fund and serve weekly hot meal provisions for hungry residents in NG7 and Radford, then made surprise visits to local Premier League Kicks programmes to mentor and inspire young people through football training sessions.
Sports247 gathered further that Awoniyi is also remembered fondly for his efforts on the pitch during his days with Forest, especially a fine solo goal in an away win against Brentford as well as a brace and an assist during a 3-1 away win at Chelsea last season.
Awoniyi, who featured 103 times for Forest, played a key part in helping the team return to the EPL, then scored six goals in their last four matches of the 2022/2023 season to save them from relegation and was part of the squad that pulled off a sensational spot in the UEFA Europa League.
Dramatically, his first match for Coventry will be on the first day of the new season this Friday, when The Sky Blues play away to Arsenal, a team which Awoniyi scored a memorable winner against in May 2023 to take his tally to 11 for the season and helped secure Forest’s EPL status.
