Maro Itoje: Bridging Generations in Rugby’s Ascent

The British-Nigerian star ignites a new wave of talent

In 2017, a young **Maro Itoje** named **Ugo Monye**’s try against South Africa in 2009 as his defining Lions memory. His reasoning – seeing a player who looked like him, of shared Nigerian heritage – reveals a powerful truth about representation in sport.

A Legacy Forged in Performance

Now set to earn his 100th Test cap, **Maro Itoje** stands as England captain, the first Black Lions captain, and a prominent figure in rugby. His journey appears to have catalysed a significant rise in British-Nigerian players making their mark in the Premiership. Names like **Gabriel Ibitoye**, **Immanuel Feyi-Waboso**, **Andy Onyeama-Christie**, **Beno Obano**, **Nick Isiekwe**, **Max Ojomoh**, **Afo Fasogbon**, and **Emeka Ilione** all shone this past season.

Five years after **Itoje** famously picked his Nigerian British XV, the current iteration would undoubtedly be stronger. Many of these emerging stars are inspired by **Itoje**’s totemic 2017 Lions performances, much as he was by **Monye**’s earlier exploits.

“There’s only a small number of us who have contributed to the Premiership. We’re punching way above our weight, it’s totally disproportionate but of course you feel a greater sense of pride when it is one of your own and someone who has a similar heritage.”

—Ugo Monye, Former Lions Player

**Maro Itoje**, 30, proudly embraces his Nigerian roots, co-founding the Akoje Gallery for African art and establishing the Pearl Fund charity to combat child poverty in Nigeria and other African nations. Following England’s 2019 World Cup final loss, he invoked a Nigerian proverb: “When a ram goes backwards, it is not retreating. It moves back to gather more strength.”

The President of Rugby Africa, **Herbert Mensah**, likens **Itoje**’s impact to that of Springboks captain **Siya Kolisi**. “Maro has also risen to being that brand, in Africa he still represents that leader,” Mensah notes. “He’s not confused as to his heritage and in many ways he is the typical, educated African son. He is someone that every parent craves for.”

Nurturing Talent, Building Community

Stallions RFC, a London-based sevens team primarily composed of players with Nigerian heritage, serves as a testament to this growing influence. Founded in 2009, it counts players like **Suvwe Obano** (brother of **Beno** and cousin of **Itoje**) and **Matt Ilube** among its alumni.

“When [Maro] got announced as Lions captain someone on the group chat said: ‘Oh, does that mean he won’t be available for us next week?’” says **Ade Ojigbo**, a Stallions player since 2022. “For those of us within rugby, within sport, it is that idea of you’ve got someone who is like you, similar to you.”

The connection between Stallions and the Nigerian national teams is strong, with eight players representing Nigeria in the Africa 7s this year. “We are very much a pathway for the Nigerian national team but it’s actually a bit bigger than that because there’s a cultural and community aspect to it as well,” **Ojigbo** explains.

“A lot of boys who are British-Nigerian, they love rugby, they love playing it but they can feel that as if rugby isn’t for them or there’s no space for them in rugby or they don’t feel seen,” **Ojigbo** adds. “It’s creating that space where rugby can be the sport that is open as people try and see and no matter who you are you can find a space where you can flourish in that.”

Education and Genetics: The Driving Forces

The emphasis on education within Nigerian culture plays a significant role. “Education in Nigeria is number one so if you can find an opportunity to have your son or daughter attend private school you absolutely will,” says **Ugo Monye**. “And just as a direct consequence of that, you’re likely to then pick up a rugby ball.”

This pathway is evident in emerging talents like **Feyi-Waboso** and **Ilione**, both trainee doctors. **Maro Itoje** himself recalls an April Fool’s joke where he told his father he was forgoing university for rugby, prompting a three-day silence from his father, a reaction **Monye** relates to. “I totally can relate to that and I think every lad who has Nigerian heritage and a similar upbringing would have a similar story to that,” he shared.

“I think we’re a genetically gifted nation,” **Monye** continues. “I don’t think people are being sent to school to become these legendary rugby players, they are sent there to get great educations and actually if you asked most Nigerian mums and dads, it’s education first and that’s it.”

While the Nigerian population in the UK is substantial, the small percentage attending private schools highlights a vast pool of untapped potential. **Monye** points out the disparity: “When Steve Borthwick announces his side he says, this is the best 23 players in England. I always think, is it? We don’t know. We have a pathway within the private school system, it is superb. What about the rest? Imagine if we could tap into that.” He adds, “Genetics matter, in contact sport it bloody matters and I believe there are a lot of lads out there who have the core ingredients, who could be moulded into something special. But we would never know.”