The confirmation was made by former Green Eagles captain and football icon Segun Odegbami, who revealed that Keshi’s name will be inscribed in gold letters on the wall to commemorate the 10th anniversary of his death.
The ceremony, scheduled to hold at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos, will celebrate the extraordinary contributions of the late Stephen Keshi to Nigerian football, African football development, and sports diplomacy.
Fondly remembered as “The Big Boss,” Keshi remains one of the most influential figures in African football history. He captained Nigeria to victory at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and later guided the Super Eagles to another AFCON triumph in 2013 as head coach, becoming one of the few individuals to win the tournament both as a player and a coach.
Beyond his achievements with Nigeria, Keshi also made history by leading Togo to their first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification in 2006, further cementing his legacy as one of Africa’s greatest football minds.
According to reports, the NIIA Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame was established to recognise Nigerians who have significantly promoted the country’s image and diplomatic influence through sports. Keshi’s inclusion will place him among the nation’s most celebrated sporting heroes.
The initiative is reportedly supported by Air Peace chairman Allen Onyema, whose contributions have helped sustain the memorial project dedicated to preserving the legacies of outstanding Nigerian sports personalities.
The event will also coincide with activities marking a decade since Keshi’s passing in 2016, a loss that shook the football world and left a lasting emotional impact on Nigerian fans.
Even 10 years after his death, Stephen Keshi’s legacy continues to inspire generations of footballers across Africa. His leadership, courage, and achievements both on and off the pitch remain deeply etched in Nigerian football history.
As Nigeria prepares to immortalise one of its greatest-ever sports icons, July 28, 2026, is expected to become another emotional and historic moment in honour of a man whose influence transcended football.