Say hello to Oghenemaro Miles Itoje, aka Maro Itoje, the Nigerian-British powerhouse leading England’s rugby team! 💪🏾🏉
Maro recently captained England to a thrilling 16-15 victory over Scotland in the Calcutta Cup at Twickenham on February 22, 2025. This win ended England’s five-year wait for a home victory against Scotland and marked their first Calcutta Cup triumph since 2020.
🏆 A Rugby Icon
At 30 years old, Maro has dominated the sport for over a decade. His three World Rugby Player of the Year nominations prove his status as one of England’s greatest. Since his pro debut in 2013, he has:
✅ Won 5 English Premiership titles
✅ Secured 3 European Rugby Champions Cup titles
✅ Lifted 3 Six Nations Championships
✅ Became Saracens’ captain in August 2024 after Owen Farrell’s departure
🌍 Nigerian Roots & Early Life
Born in Camden and raised in North London, Maro grew up in a Nigerian-British household with his parents and siblings, Jeremy & Isobel. He attended Salcombe Prep School before boarding at St George’s School in Harpenden, where he first picked up rugby at 11 years old.
A gifted athlete, he also excelled in basketball, football & shot put, even representing England at the U17 level. Education has always been a priority—he earned a politics degree from SOAS University of London and later completed an MBA at Warwick Business School in 2023. 🎓
🎤 Beyond Rugby: Activism & Art
Maro isn’t just about sports; he’s a passionate advocate for education, equality & social justice. In 2023, he launched The Pearl Fund, an initiative investing in education across Africa. His impact has earned him:
🔹 A spot in the 2023 Powerlist of the UK’s most influential Black people
🔹 The Leadership Award at the Best of Africa Awards 2022
🔹 A feature in Tatler’s Little Black Book
He also co-founded the Akoje Gallery with Khalil Akar, showcasing African & Caribbean artists.
💍 Love & Engagement
Maro is engaged to model Mimi Fall! 💕 He proposed during a romantic holiday to Nigeria & Ghana, and they announced their engagement in August 2024. Mimi shared the moment with a heartfelt post, captioned: “Mrs I to be.” 💍✨
📸 Photo credit: @maroitoje / Instagram
🇬🇧🏉 Check out highlights from England’s victory below! 👇🏾
View this post on Instagram
#NaijaUKConnect #MaroItoje #RugbyStar #NigeriansInTheUK
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