Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo is back in Nigeria, and he’s making his presence felt both on and off the pitch. Fresh off his FIFA Club World Cup triumph with Chelsea, the 27-year-old centre-back paid a courtesy visit to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday.
The meeting was part of Adarabioyo’s homecoming tour, which includes a grassroots football tournament aimed at inspiring the next generation of Nigerian players.
Born in Manchester to Nigerian parents, Adarabioyo has always kept close ties to his roots. His visit to Governor Sanwo-Olu underscores that connection. Sharing photos of their meeting on Facebook, the governor praised the Premier League star for staying grounded and using his platform to give back.
“Tosin Adarabioyo, who plays for Chelsea, stopped by to visit while he’s in Nigeria,” Sanwo-Olu wrote. “It’s always inspiring to meet young Nigerians making their mark internationally, who remain grounded and stay connected to home.”
Adarabioyo is currently in Lagos to host the Tosin Adarabioyo Youth Cup, a grassroots tournament taking place at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan. Scheduled for Wednesday, the event is expected to draw young footballers, coaches, fans, and scouts from across the state.
“This will be fun! Tosin will be LIVE at the stadium,” the organisers posted on social media, building excitement around the event.
The tournament, organised in collaboration with the Lagos State Football Association, is part of Adarabioyo’s mission to inspire and support young talents who dream of playing professionally. It’s also a way of showing young Nigerians that it’s possible to make it to the highest levels of football without losing touch with where you come from.
Though he has represented England at various youth levels, Adarabioyo remains eligible to play for Nigeria. His international future has been the subject of speculation, especially with the Super Eagles preparing for the return of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Nigerian football fans have long wondered whether the Chelsea defender might one day wear the green and white of the Super Eagles. And the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), along with head coach Eric Chelle, is reportedly keeping a close eye on him.
In a recent interview with Nigerian sports journalist Oma Akatugba, Adarabioyo addressed the swirling rumours about his allegiance. He was quick to clear the air.
“Yeah, so both of those pieces of news are pretty false,” he said, referring to claims that he had turned down Nigeria in the past. While he didn’t make any firm commitments, his comments suggest the door remains open for a possible switch to the Nigerian national team.
For now, though, his focus is firmly on giving back. The Tosin Adarabioyo Youth Cup reflects a growing trend of international footballers of Nigerian descent returning home to invest in the country’s rich football culture. By supporting local development through initiatives like this tournament, players like Adarabioyo are helping to strengthen the future of Nigerian football, one goal, one game, and one young talent at a time.
As Lagos gets ready for the big day, the excitement is palpable. With a Premier League star leading the charge, the youth tournament promises to be more than just a game, it’s a statement of hope, pride, and potential.