Nigerian football administrator Samson Adamu has made history following his appointment as Acting Secretary General of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), becoming the first Nigerian to occupy the position since the organisation’s establishment in 1957.
The appointment was confirmed on Sunday during a CAF congress held in Cairo, Egypt, after the resignation of Veron Mosengo-Omba, the Swiss-Congolese official who stepped down the same day.
Adamu, who previously served as CAF’s Director of Tournaments and Events, was nominated by the CAF Executive Committee and ratified by the congress, formally placing him in charge of the body’s administrative structure.
Widely regarded as the “engine room” of African football administration, the Secretary General oversees the day-to-day operations of CAF, including legal affairs and the implementation of decisions taken by the executive committee.
His elevation is seen as a significant milestone for Nigeria, positioning the country at the centre of continental football governance for the first time in nearly seven decades.
A source within CAF described the appointment as a recognition of Adamu’s professionalism and leadership, noting that his experience in managing major competitions across the continent would be vital in steering the organisation’s affairs.
With his new role, Adamu is expected to strengthen engagement with member associations and key stakeholders while ensuring the smooth running of CAF’s operations across Africa.
