Nigerian football administrator Samson Adamu has secured a major appointment after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed him as its substantive Secretary-General.
CAF announced the appointment on Sunday, November 1, following approval from its Executive Committee after a competitive recruitment process.
Adamu had served as acting Secretary-General since March 2026, following the departure of his predecessor, Veron Mosengo-Omba, who later became president of the football federation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe said the organisation advertised the position widely and interviewed several candidates before selecting Adamu for the role.
The Nigerian joined CAF in 2018 as Director of Competitions. He later moved into the role of Director of Tournaments and Events, where he helped organise several major continental football competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations.
Adamu also holds a qualification from the FIFA Master programme in International Management, Law and Humanities of Sport, which focuses on sports administration and governance.
As Secretary-General, he will oversee CAF’s daily administrative operations and work with its leadership to implement policies and strengthen football development across the continent.
His appointment marks a significant moment for Nigerian football administration, as he becomes the first Nigerian to hold the substantive Secretary-General position since CAF’s establishment in 1957.
The development also places a Nigerian at the centre of the continental body’s administrative structure as African football continues to expand its competitions and global influence.
