Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday, received the Premier League trophy at the State House in Marina, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to leveraging sports for youth engagement and social development.
The prestigious trophy was presented by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Girish Sharma, as part of the company’s initiative to connect Nigerian football fans with the world’s most-watched football league.
This was made known in a statement signed by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile.
Speaking at the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu described the Premier League as a powerful symbol of inspiration for millions of young people across the globe, including Nigeria.
“We are thrilled that Guinness has brought the Premier League trophy to Lagos. This is more than a piece of silverware—it represents inspiration, motivation, and opportunity,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“Sports is a powerful tool for social change and youth empowerment. It helps us discover talent, build character, and create responsible citizens.”
The governor commended Guinness Nigeria for its investment in sports and social development, and encouraged the company to explore the possibility of hosting Premier League teams in Lagos during their off-season tours.
“I want to throw a challenge to you—let’s work on bringing some of the teams here during their summer break. Lagosians are warm and passionate; we just want to meet the stars, take selfies, and show them love,” he said.
“We assure you that Lagos will remain open and welcoming for businesses to thrive. Our government will continue to provide a conducive environment for both local and international investors.”
In his remarks, Girish Sharma applauded the Lagos State government for fostering a supportive environment for businesses and cited Nigeria’s overwhelming love for football as the reason behind bringing the trophy to the country.
“It’s a great pleasure to present the Premier League trophy to Nigerian fans. Nigeria is one of the biggest football-loving nations in the world. This is why we made sure the trophy made its way here,” Sharma said.
As Guinness Nigeria marks its 75th anniversary, Sharma reaffirmed the company’s commitment to investing in Nigeria and urged citizens to remain hopeful and confident in the country’s potential.
“We believe in Nigeria and its future. This celebration is not just about the past 75 years, but also about the years ahead and what we can achieve together,” he added.
