Federal Government, Allen Onyema to Immortalize Stephen Keshi; Ajunwa, Amusan Under Consideration

As Nigeria buries one of its legendary football heroes this weekend, the spirit of another icon of the same generation is being evoked.

While the body of late Henry Onyenmanze Nwosu, MON, is being committed to mother earth Saturday in Naze, near Owerri, tomorrow, Sunday, June 7, 2026, the first in a two-part series of activities in remembrance of late Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, MFR, fondly called the Big Boss, will take place in Lagos at the 10th Memorial Lecture organised annually by a Foundation established by his friends and family at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA).

On July 28, 2026, exactly a day before the 10th anniversary of his passing, Keshi’s contributions as a sports diplomat within Nigeria’s strategic foreign affairs will be showcased and acknowledged.

His name will be inscribed in gold letters on the NIIA Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame, ensuring his everlasting memory as one of Nigeria’s greatest football heroes and patriots.

The Wall of Fame, a national monument established by the NIIA, already bears the names of 69 sporting heroes who have contributed to Nigeria’s international diplomacy through sports.

Keshi’s name will now join this distinguished list. The edifice, sponsored by Dr. Allen Onyema and his airline, AirPeace, was erected three years ago within the NIIA premises in Lagos. Surrounded by water fountains, a beautiful garden, and a black marble wall, it serves as a lasting tribute to Nigeria’s sporting legends.

Keshi’s career achievements justify his inclusion. He captained the Nigerian national team, coached the Super Eagles to an African Cup of Nations victory, and remarkably qualified another African nation, Togo, for the FIFA World Cup. Beyond trophies, he personally opened pathways for a generation of Nigerian and African players to transition into professional football in Europe.

Meanwhile, the NIIA’s sports diplomacy department is considering other Nigerian athletes for future inclusion. Among them are world record holder Tobi Amusan, Nigeria’s first and only female Olympic gold medalist Chioma Ajunwa, and the Atlanta ’96 Dream Team that won Olympic gold.

The honours list is not based solely on sporting achievements but on impact in the international diplomatic and political space, aligning with Nigeria’s foreign affairs agenda.