Super Eagles striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, Monday donated cash and writing materials to his alma mater in Ilorin, The PUNCH reports.

Awoniyi made a surprise visit to his primary school, Adetunji Nursery and Primary School, Alfa Yahaya, Ilorin, and his secondary school, Government Day Secondary School.

During his visit to Adetunji Nursery and Primary School, Awoniyi, who was received by the proprietor of the school, AbdulRahman Adetunji, said the founder of the school was an inspiration to him during his formative years.

He also urged the pupils and students of both schools to keep chasing their dreams.

“This man (Adetunji) is a huge inspiration, he made me the Games Prefect while I was in primary 4,” Awoniyi said.

“He was always encouraging us, his support then was a driving force and I am where I am today because I listened to the teachers. You need to listen to the teachers and follow their instructions always,” Awoniyi said.

The Nottingham Forest striker is also renovating six classrooms and a hall at the Government Day Secondary School, Ilorin.

The school management expressed appreciation and thanked the striker for his support.

Awoniyi, who signed for Forest from Union Berlin for £20m last summer, proved to be a revelation for the Tricky Trees as his goals helped them stay up in their first season back in the topflight.

The 25-year-old scored 10 EPL goals for Forest, earning Steve Coopers' side 13 points and vastly improving their league placing to 16th in the log with 38 points from 38 games.

According to Opta, points won with goals last season show that without Awoniyi's interventions, Forest would have recorded 25 points instead of the 38, placing them joint bottom in the relegation zone.