CAF Confirms Samson Adamu as First Nigerian General Secretary

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed Samson Adamu as its substantive general secretary.

The decision comes months after he was initially named interim placeholder for the role in March, after Veron Mosengo-Omba, a Swiss-Congolese official, resigned. 

Adamu becomes the first Nigerian to hold the post since CAF was founded in 1957.

The 40-year-old, who previously served as CAF’s Director of Competitions, takes over the administrative helm of African football’s governing body following approval by the executive committee.

With extensive experience in sports governance, Adamu has played a key role in organising major continental competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and CAF Champions League.

As general secretary, Adamu will fill a role widely considered the “engine room” of African football, responsible for the body’s day-to-day administration, legal matters, and implementing decisions made by the executive committee.

Adamu holds a FIFA Master in management, law and humanities of sport. He began his journey in football administration by establishing the now-defunct Copa Lagos beach tournament in the early 2010s.