It wasn’t just Chelsea that celebrated when Nigerian defender Tosin Adarabioyo lifted the FIFA Club World Cup trophy for My Media Africa, it marked a defining moment in the African football story.
Adarabioyo, who became the first Nigerian to win the revamped FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea, has now received the African Illustrious Award, a continental honour recognising Africans making exceptional global impact.
The 26-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Fulham earlier in the season, was honoured at a ceremony held on Wednesday at the Lagos headquarters of My Media Africa, a Pan-African media and innovation platform behind the award scheme.
Speaking while receiving the award, Adarabioyo described the honour as “a celebration of heritage, excellence, and global impact.” He said, “I am very proud to have received this award, and it will go down in history. I’m happy that I played a great part in winning the trophy, and I will strive to do more in writing my name in illustrious ways.”
The African Illustrious Awards, which spans categories such as sports, business, innovation, leadership, and the arts, aims to spotlight Africans driving change and excellence across sectors.
The organisers said Adarabioyo’s triumph with Chelsea was not just a sporting milestone, but a signal of what becomes possible “when talent, discipline, and opportunity come together.”
A product of Manchester City’s youth academy, Adarabioyo was born in Manchester to Nigerian parents and is among a growing generation of players with dual heritage proudly identifying with African roots.
His move to Chelsea marked a step up, and his swift contribution to their global success has not gone unnoticed.
