The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Nigerian football administrator Samson Adamu as its new General Secretary, making him the first Nigerian to occupy the position since the continental governing body was established in 1957.
CAF announced the appointment on Sunday, November 1, following a comprehensive recruitment process approved by its Executive Committee.
Adamu had been serving in an acting capacity since March 2026, following the resignation 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 appointment followed a competitive recruitment exercise in which the position was widely advertised and several candidates were interviewed.
In a statement announcing the decision, Motsepe highlighted Adamu’s experience in African football administration and his contributions to the organisation of major continental competitions.
Adamu joined CAF in 2018 as Director of Competitions before subsequently serving as Director of Tournaments and Events, a role in which he was involved in coordinating some of the organisation’s major football events.
He played a leading role in the delivery of several continental competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), CAF’s flagship tournament, as well as other competitions organised by the governing body.
His appointment places him at the head of CAF’s administrative operations, with responsibility for overseeing its day-to-day activities and supporting the implementation of decisions and strategic priorities.
Adamu holds a qualification from the FIFA Master programme in International Management, Law and Humanities of Sport, which provides specialised training in sports administration, governance and management.
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