Taiwo Awoniyi has graduated from the PFA's Business and Finance programme, joining a cohort of Premier League players and former professionals who collected their qualifications in a ceremony styled on an Oxbridge graduation—complete with caps and gowns—according to the BBC.
Among those honoured alongside Awoniyi, who has lifted major trophies in Europe and beyond, the 2026 class reflects a growing push within the game for footballers to build knowledge and skills away from the pitch. Awoniyi revealed the personal motivation behind pursuing the course, saying he had made a promise to his father to keep studying even as his football career took off.
The BBC report highlights the scheme as part of the PFA's wider effort to support players' development beyond football, giving them qualifications and expertise that can serve them during and after their playing days. While details of the full graduating class weren't extensively outlined, Awoniyi's involvement underscores the programme's appeal to top-level professionals balancing elite sport with long-term planning for life after the game.