Nottingham Forest forward and Super Eagles striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, is now conscious and steadily recuperating following a delicate surgical procedure to address a serious abdominal injury he sustained during a recent English Premier League match.
Awoniyi, who has become a crucial figure in Forest’s attacking line and a pride of Nigerian football, suffered a ruptured intestine after a heavy collision during gameplay. The nature of the injury demanded an urgent two-phase surgical intervention. The first phase was conducted on Monday, with medical specialists opting to place him in an induced coma by Tuesday to closely monitor his vitals and manage post-operative complications.
The second and final stage of the operation, which involved carefully closing the abdominal wound, was carried out on Wednesday and was deemed successful by the medical team. Sources close to the player have confirmed that Awoniyi has regained consciousness and is now responding well to treatment, with his wife by his side providing emotional support.
In response to the shocking development, former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, expressed heartfelt concern for the player’s wellbeing. Obi, known for his vocal support of Nigerian youth excelling globally, described Awoniyi as “a resilient son of the soil” who epitomizes the unbreakable spirit of the Nigerian people.
“I read with deep concern the unfortunate incident involving our own Taiwo Awoniyi, who, while giving his all on the pitch for Nottingham Forest, suffered a severe injury in the line of duty. It is both painful and telling that, even after colliding with the goalpost and sustaining what has now been diagnosed as a ruptured intestine, he pressed on. This is a testament to the Nigerian spirit — strong, unyielding, and ever-committed,” Obi remarked in a message shared on his social media page.
He urged Nigerians to rally behind Awoniyi and his family during this challenging period, highlighting the importance of recognizing and honouring national heroes who continue to raise the country’s profile abroad, even at significant personal cost.
“Let us not take this lightly. We must appreciate and celebrate such young men who continue to lift our flag high, even at great personal risk. May he recover fully and return stronger,” Obi added.
In a separate update, respected Nigerian photojournalist Adepoju Tobi Samuel, popularly known as OgaNlaMedia, disclosed that he had spoken with a member of the Awoniyi family, who confirmed the striker’s improving condition.
“I just spoke with a family member of Taiwo Awoniyi. He’s recovering well. His wife is around him, and he’s responding to treatment. Hopefully, we should be able to speak with him soon,” Tobi shared via his social media platform.
The news of Awoniyi’s gradual recovery has brought relief and hope to fans across Nigeria and the wider football community. With over 30 appearances in the Premier League and several caps for the Super Eagles, Awoniyi’s resilience and determination remain a source of inspiration. His swift return to full health is now the collective wish of a grateful nation.