Former Nigeria number one and captain, Vincent Enyeama, has added another feather to his cap after bagging an honorary doctorate degree from his alma mata, the University of Uyo in Akwa, Ibom State, Nigeria.

The 41-year-old, who bagged a degree in Applied Chemistry from the renowned tertiary institution, announced this in a statement on his Instagram page on Saturday, alongside pictures of him being decorated by the Vice Council of the University of Uyo, Professor Nyaudoh Ukpabio Ndaeyo.

The award was a major highlight of the 26th, 27th, and 28th Combined Convocation Ceremonies, which took place on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at the university’s main campus along Nwaniba Road, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

Reacting to the gesture, Enyeama expressed gratitude to the Vice Councillor, his wife, Promise Vincent, members of his family, fans, and everyone else that has supported him over the years.

 

He stated, “God has been my strength. He has been in on the details. I can’t thank him enough. I want to thank the University of Uyo vice chancellor and his team for conferring on me this great honourable award. God bless you, sir. I want to thank my wife, Promise Vincent; she has really been the bone in my ribs. God bless you and your family.I want to thank my family for always standing by me, no matter the circumstances. To my fans and supporters,I love you guys. Thank you. A new title has been added to me. This is the Lord’s doing.”

As a football player, Enyeama was a good ambassador to the University of Uyo during his illustrious career spanning 24 years.

Aside from distinguishing himself between the sticks on the domestic and international scenes, his career was without blamishes.

As a student of UniUyo, he started his professional career with the Ibom Stars in 1999 before going on to play for Enyimba, Iwuanyanwu Nationale, and Bnei Yehuda. Hapoel Tel Aviv, Lille, and Maccabi Tel Aviv, scoring 20 goals in a total of 531 club career matches.

Despite his below-average height for a goalkeeper, Enyeama is popularly regarded as one of the greatest African goalkeepers of all time and of his era.

He was capped 101 times by Nigeria between 2002 and 2015, serving as captain of the Super Eagles for a number of years. He is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers to have kept goal for Nigeria.

Enyeama won three Nigerian Premier League and two CAF Champions League with Enyimba, two Israeli Premier League and two Israel State Cups with Hapoel Beer Sheva and Maccabi Tel-Aviv, and one Africa Cup of Nations title with Nigeria.

His individual awards include being named CAF Champions League Player of the Year in 2003 and 2004, Footballer of the Year in Israel in 2009, UNFP Player of the Month for October and November 2013, Prix Marc-Vivien Foé award for the 2013–14 season, Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament in 2004 and 2013, Goalkeeper of the Year Nigeria Pitch Awards in 2013 and 2014, King of the Pitch Nigeria Pitch Awards in 2014, Goal Nigeria Player of the Year 2014, IFFHS CAF Men’s Team of the Decade 2011–2020, and IFFHS 2023 March: Greatest African Goalkeeper of All Time