'I made a promise to my dad to keep studying' - Awoniyi graduates

The scene resembles an Oxbridge graduation ceremony, but those gathered in caps and gowns are in fact Premier League footballers, or former players, who have won major honours in Europe and around the world. The 2026 cohort of graduates from the PFA Business School include Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi and Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, among a host of other well-known figures. The assembled players are potential leaders in football's future. The graduates certainly appear no different from anyone else celebrating an academic achievement, exhibiting their pride. Awoniyi, who joined Coventry City from Nottingham Forest this summer, remains part of Nigeria's squad as they attempt to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. But the 29-year-old striker has continued his studies throughout his playing career. "I've got a degree in business management and another diploma, so this is my third qualification," he told BBC Sport. Awoniyi's father, Solomon, has previously spoken about his strict approach to education. At times it almost prevented his son from pursuing a career in football, but he still progressed from the Imperial Soccer Academy to Liverpool before making his name in German football with Union Berlin. "I say to people I'm a quiet dreamer," said Awoniyi, who brought members of his extended family to the ceremony. "I always felt education was important. It was a promise I made to my dad that if I played football, I would keep studying. "That is what I've done and I am proud of it." Awoniyi points to the "ups and downs" he has experienced as a footballer, referencing the serious injury he suffered in May 2025 when he was placed in a medically induced coma after rupturing an intestine in a collision with a goalpost when playing for Nottingham Forest against Leicester City . To him, it is important to keep improving and to recognise there is more to life than football, which is where the Professional Footballers' Association course comes in. Awoniyi added: "It's not like a 9-5 job in football. We go in and sometimes finish quite early and, although it is challenging, I think every footballer has time in the evening for something like this business school. "Of course it demands a lot from you, so it is all about how willing you are to do it. "I say to people there are a lot of things that are bigger than football. Yes, football is our passion but we are normal human beings as well - and maybe that's something the world doesn't always see." The course is designed to run alongside a football career. For example, seminars are scheduled to minimise clashes with matches and training sessions, and players are also allowed to study in their own time. For now, Awoniyi remains focused on playing football - but among this year's graduates might be future coaches, executives and sporting directors who go on to influence the game in different ways. Read the full article here