Vice President Kashim Shettima has charged newly appointed Confederation of African Football (CAF) General Secretary, Samson Adamu, to use his new position to advance African football while promoting and protecting Nigeria’s interests on the global sporting stage.
Shettima gave the charge on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, when he received Adamu alongside a delegation led by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Malam Shehu Dikko.
The Vice President congratulated Adamu on his appointment, describing his emergence as the first Nigerian to occupy the position in CAF’s 70-year history as a testament to the talent, capacity and leadership potential of Nigerians.
He also conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s goodwill to the new CAF scribe, urging him to discharge his responsibilities with integrity, diligence and national pride.
“Our nation has earned its place in the world of sports. We have flown our flag in arenas where few expected us to perform magic and we have made the impossible appear almost familiar, fundamentally because of the quality of our people,” Shettima said.
He further charged Adamu to make Nigeria proud through his performance, saying: “The President is proud of you, Samson Adamu. Go and do a yo-man’s job. Go and promote, protect, project and preserve the interest of the Nigerian nation. I wish you all the best.”
Shettima described football as a powerful instrument of national unity, noting that the sport has consistently brought Nigerians together beyond ethnic, religious and political differences.
“Football especially is a uniting force in this country. Anytime Nigeria plays, it tends to subsume all other identities. Football and sports generally is a source of unity for our country. What binds us together supersedes whatever divides us,” he stated.
The Vice President also acknowledged the contributions of sports administrators, coaches, talent scouts and institutions in developing Nigerian athletes, stressing that their efforts often go unrecognised despite being fundamental to the country’s sporting successes.
“The minds that organise, the hands that prepare and the institutions that give talents a fighting chance are not always recognised. This is why, from the bottom of my heart, on behalf of my boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we appreciate you,” he said.
He recalled the achievements of Nigerian football icons, including Rashidi Yekini, Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha and Finidi George, noting that their success stories were products of the dedication of individuals and institutions that discovered and nurtured their talents.
Earlier, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko commended President Tinubu and the Federal Government for their commitment to sports development, saying the administration’s support had improved Nigeria’s international sporting profile and opened opportunities for investment through sports.
Dikko described Adamu’s appointment as a major milestone for Nigerian sports administration. He also appreciated the Federal Government for approving Nigeria’s hosting of the CAF General Assembly and CAF Awards in November and December 2026, respectively.
In his remarks, Adamu expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for its support, describing his appointment as a historic achievement and a source of national pride.
He pledged to deploy his experience as CAF’s former Director of Competitions to strengthen the organisation’s administration and promote the development of football across Africa.
Adamu also assured that he would support efforts to harness Nigeria’s vast football talent and strengthen the country’s position in continental and global football.
He was appointed CAF General Secretary on Sunday, November 1, 2026, following a recruitment exercise by the continental football governing body. In his new capacity, he will oversee CAF’s day-to-day administration.