CAF has confirmed Samson Adamu as secretary general of the continental body. According to Vanguard, he becomes the first Nigerian to hold the post since CAF was founded in 1957.
Samson Adamu has now been confirmed in his role as CAF secretary general, Vanguard reports. He had held the position on an interim basis since 29 March 2026, following the departure of Véron Mosengo-Omba, the body’s former secretary general.
According to the same outlet, the confirmation makes Samson Adamu the first Nigerian to head CAF’s administration since the body was founded in 1957. Vanguard devotes an article to the appointment which also looks back at his father.
A career built within CAF
Before joining CAF, Samson Adamu spent around a decade at Kinetic Sport Management, where he helped develop the Copa Lagos, an international beach soccer competition, according to Vanguard.
His education includes studies in Business Management and computer science at the American University of Paris. He then completed the FIFA Master in 2009.
He joined CAF in 2018 as director of competitions, before becoming director of tournaments and events. It was from that role that he was appointed interim secretary general in March 2026.
The return of a biennial AFCON
The confirmation comes as CAF recently decided to return to an Africa Cup of Nations every two years, Vanguard recalls. According to the outlet, the return will be implemented under Samson Adamu’s leadership.
The available details do not specify the timetable for that implementation.
A family legacy and a question of training
His father, Dr Amos Adamu, is presented by Vanguard as a historic figure in the administration of Nigerian football.
In an opinion piece relayed by Vanguard, former Super Eagles player Paul Okoku argues that the appointment should encourage Nigeria to invest more in training qualified sports administrators, coaches, professionals and former players interested in leadership. This is an opinion expressed in a column and does not commit the Nigerian federation.