RismadarVoice Reporters
November 1, 2026
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed Nigerian football administrator Samson Adamu as its substantive General Secretary, placing him in charge of the continental governing body’s day-to-day administration.
CAF announced the appointment in an official statement on Sunday, November 1, following approval by its Executive Committee earlier in the week.
Adamu had served as acting General Secretary since March 2026, following the resignation of his predecessor, Véron Mosengo-Omba.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe said the appointment followed a comprehensive recruitment process in which the position was publicly advertised, and several candidates were interviewed.
Adamu joined CAF in 2018 as Director of Competitions before subsequently becoming Director of Tournaments and Events.
During his eight years with the organisation, he played important roles in planning and coordinating major continental football competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations.
His responsibilities involved tournament administration, competition management and coordination with participating national teams and football associations.
CAF said Adamu’s experience and institutional knowledge would support the organisation’s administrative operations and strategic priorities.
The Nigerian administrator is also a graduate of the FIFA Master programme in International Management, Law and Humanities of Sport.
As General Secretary, he will oversee CAF’s daily administrative activities and support the implementation of decisions made by its leadership.
His confirmation makes him the first Nigerian to occupy the organisation’s top administrative position since CAF was established in 1957.
Adamu succeeds Mosengo-Omba, who stepped down in March after more than five years in office.
The position has previously been occupied by several prominent African football administrators, including three generations of Egypt’s Fahmy family.
Mourad Fahmy served between 1961 and 1982, followed by his son Mustapha Fahmy from 1982 to 2010. Amr Fahmy later held the position between 2017 and 2019.
Adamu’s appointment also continues a family connection with international football administration.
His father, Amos Adamu, previously served on FIFA’s Executive Committee before receiving a ban in 2010 for breaching bribery regulations.
The Nigeria Football Federation welcomed the appointment, with its Acting General Secretary, Emmanuel Ikpeme, expressing confidence in Adamu’s experience and administrative abilities.
The federation also pledged its support as Adamu assumes responsibility for coordinating CAF’s operations and implementing its development priorities across African football.
