FG hails Adamu’s appointment as CAF SG, reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to sports diplomacy
Photo : Vice President Kashim Shettima with Mallam Dikko, Adamu, Olopade and other NSC, CAF and NFF officials at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday.
The Federal Government has felicitated Mr. Samson Adamu on his recent confirmation as the substantive Secretary General of the Confederation of African Football, describing it as a significant milestone for Nigeria and a reflection of the country’s growing influence in international sports administration.
The nation’s Vice President, His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima GCON, said this during a courtesy visit by Adamu at the Aso Rock President Villa on Tuesday. Adamu was led on the visit by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, with the Director General of NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, NFF’s Ag. General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme and top officials of the NSC and the NFF also in attendance.
Vice President Shettima congratulated Adamu and pinpointed the fact that his rise to the pinnacle of football administration in the continent is testament to the quality of human resources that can be found among Nigerians anywhere in the world.
Adamu, who joined Africa’s football-governing body as Director of Competitions in 2018, arrived in Abuja on Tuesday afternoon for an executive assessment of the country’s preparations to host two of CAF’s biggest events – the Ordinary General Assembly (in Abuja on 21st November) and the 2026 CAF Awards (in Lagos on 10th December).
On Wednesday, Adamu also paid a courtesy call on the NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, who welcomed him as “one of us” and a shining light of what is possible if anyone opts for tenacity, diligence, professionalism, commitment to self-development and integrity in his field of endeavour.
Dikko’s described Adamu’s appointment, which makes him the first Nigerian in the 69-year history of CAF to hold the position, as evidence of the ability of Nigerians to excel in international sports leadership. He noted that Adamu earned the position through hard work, competence and dedication to the African game, while highlighting the Federal Government’s commitment to international sports diplomacy.
Dikko also emphasised Nigeria’s readiness to host the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly and the CAF Awards ceremony. He noted that hosting the two prestigious events would strengthen Nigeria’s relationship with CAF while creating economic opportunities in the hospitality, tourism and transport sectors.
He further disclosed that the Federal Government had introduced a special budget line for international sports diplomacy to support Nigerians seeking influential positions in global sports organisations.
Responding, Adamu expressed appreciation to the NSC leadership for facilitating high-level engagements with the country’s Vice President, and for their consistent efforts to strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and CAF.
Speaking on the responsibility of his new position, Adamu said he is taking on the huge responsibility with a sense of humility, but believes he has garnered tremendous experience working with three previous Secretaries-General of CAF to be able to make a success of his tenure.
“It’s a big responsibility and it’s not only towards Nigeria, my home country; it’s a responsibility towards the 54 member associations that we have in Africa.”
He also encouraged young African sports professionals to remain committed to their careers, noting that his experience working with the Nigeria Football Federation, the country’s domestic league and private sports ventures had contributed to his professional growth.
Director-General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, praised Adamu’s appointment, describing it as a major achievement for Nigerian and African sports.
Congratulating CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe and the leadership of the continental football-ruling body, Olopade expressed optimism about the future of African football, declaring: “Africa, football has thrown up a great mind and the greatness of our football on the continent is assured.”
Adamu acknowledged Nigeria’s preparations to host the two big events, commending the government’s commitment to providing world-class facilities, including the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja and the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos.
Adamu’s entourage from CAF headquarters included Dr. Christian Emeruwa, CAF’s head of safety and security, who is also the project lead for the two big events, CAF’s head of accounting operations Sadiq Turkson and head of procurement Lassi Abdoulaye.
