The Federal Government has congratulated Mr. Samson Adamu on his recent confirmation as the main Secretary General of the Confederation of African Football, describing it as an important milestone for Nigeria and a reflection of the country’s growing influence in international sports governance.
This was stated by the Vice President of the country, His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima, during a courtesy call on his Man at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, GCON on Tuesday. Adamu was accompanied by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Director General of NSC, Mr. Hon. Bukola Olopade, NFF’s Ag. Secretary General, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme and senior officials of NSC and NFF were also present.
The Vice President congratulated Shettima Adamu, noting that his rise to the top of football administration on the continent is a testament to the quality of human resources that can be found among Nigerians all over the world.
Adamu, who joined Africa’s football governing body as Director of Competitions in 2018, arrived in Abuja on Tuesday afternoon to conduct an executive assessment of the country’s preparations to host CAF’s two biggest events – the Ordinary General Assembly (on the 21st in Abuja).St November) and the 2026 CAF Awards (in Lagos on 10c 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 everyone chooses persistence, diligence, professionalism, commitment to self-development and integrity in their field of endeavour.
Dikko described Adamu’s appointment, making him the first Nigerian to hold the position in CAF’s 69-year history, as proof of Nigerians’ ability to excel in international sports leadership. He highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to international sports diplomacy, noting that Adamu earned this position due to his hard work, competence and dedication to the African game.
Dikko also highlighted Nigeria’s readiness to host CAF’s 48th Ordinary General Assembly and CAF Awards. He noted that hosting the two prestigious events will strengthen Nigeria’s relationship with CAF while also creating economic opportunities in the hospitality, tourism and transport sectors. He further disclosed that the Federal Government has introduced a special budget line for international sports diplomacy to support Nigerians seeking prestigious positions in global sports organizations.
Responding, Adamu expressed gratitude to the management of NSC for facilitating high-level engagement with the Vice President of the country 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 humbled to take on the huge responsibility but believes he has gained great experience working with the three previous CAF Secretaries General to be able to succeed in his position.
“It’s a huge responsibility and it’s not just to my home country, Nigeria; it’s a responsibility to the 54 member states that we have in Africa.” He also encouraged young African sports professionals to stick to their careers, noting that his experience working with the Nigeria Football Federation, the country’s domestic league and private sports enterprises contributed to his professional growth.
The General Director of National Technical Service Hn. Bukola Olopade lauded Adamu’s appointment, describing it as a great achievement for Nigerian and African sports. Congratulating CAF president Dr Patrice Motsepe and the management of the continent’s football governing body, Olopade expressed optimism about the future of African football, saying: “Africa, football has thrown a big brain and there is confidence in the greatness of our football on the continent.”
Admitting that Nigeria is gearing up to host the two major events, Adamu commended the government’s commitment to providing world-class facilities including the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Center in Abuja and the Wole Soyinka Center for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos.
Among his escort from CAF headquarters, CAF’s head of safety and security, Dr. Also present were Christian Emeruwa, project manager for the two major events, Sadiq Turkson, CAF’s head of accounting operations, and Lassi Abdoulaye, head of procurement.
It reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to sports diplomacy
The Federal Government has congratulated Mr. Samson Adamu on his recent confirmation as the main Secretary General of the Confederation of African Football, describing it as an important milestone for Nigeria and a reflection of the country’s growing influence in international sports governance.
This was stated by the Vice President of the country, His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima, during a courtesy call on his Man at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, GCON on Tuesday. Adamu was accompanied by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Director General of NSC, Mr. Hon. Bukola Olopade, NFF’s Ag. Secretary General, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme and senior officials of NSC and NFF were also present.
The Vice President congratulated Shettima Adamu, noting that his rise to the top of football administration on the continent is a testament to the quality of human resources that can be found among Nigerians all over the world.
Adamu, who joined Africa’s football governing body as Director of Competitions in 2018, arrived in Abuja on Tuesday afternoon to conduct an executive assessment of the country’s preparations to host CAF’s two biggest events – the Ordinary General Assembly (on the 21st in Abuja).St November) and the 2026 CAF Awards (in Lagos on 10c 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 everyone chooses persistence, diligence, professionalism, commitment to self-development and integrity in their field of endeavour.
Dikko described Adamu’s appointment, making him the first Nigerian to hold the position in CAF’s 69-year history, as proof of Nigerians’ ability to excel in international sports leadership. He highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to international sports diplomacy, noting that Adamu earned this position due to his hard work, competence and dedication to the African game.
Dikko also highlighted Nigeria’s readiness to host CAF’s 48th Ordinary General Assembly and CAF Awards. He noted that hosting the two prestigious events will strengthen Nigeria’s relationship with CAF while also creating economic opportunities in the hospitality, tourism and transport sectors. He further disclosed that the Federal Government has introduced a special budget line for international sports diplomacy to support Nigerians seeking prestigious positions in global sports organizations.
Responding, Adamu expressed gratitude to the management of NSC for facilitating high-level engagement with the Vice President of the country 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 humbled to take on the huge responsibility but believes he has gained great experience working with the three previous CAF Secretaries General to be able to succeed in his position.
“It’s a huge responsibility and it’s not just to my home country, Nigeria; it’s a responsibility to the 54 member states that we have in Africa.” He also encouraged young African sports professionals to stick to their careers, noting that his experience working with the Nigeria Football Federation, the country’s domestic league and private sports enterprises contributed to his professional growth.
The General Director of National Technical Service Hn. Bukola Olopade lauded Adamu’s appointment, describing it as a great achievement for Nigerian and African sports. Congratulating CAF president Dr Patrice Motsepe and the management of the continent’s football governing body, Olopade expressed optimism about the future of African football, saying: “Africa, football has thrown a big brain and there is confidence in the greatness of our football on the continent.”
Admitting that Nigeria is gearing up to host the two major events, Adamu commended the government’s commitment to providing world-class facilities including the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Center in Abuja and the Wole Soyinka Center for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos.
Among his escort from CAF headquarters, CAF’s head of safety and security, Dr. Also present were Christian Emeruwa, project manager for the two major events, Sadiq Turkson, CAF’s head of accounting operations, and Lassi Abdoulaye, head of procurement.