Vice President Kashim Shettima has described the appointment of Samson Adamu as the first Nigerian General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as evidence that Nigerians have the talent and capacity to occupy leadership positions in global sports.
Shettima said Nigeria’s sporting achievements over the years had been driven by the quality of its people, the dedication of sports administrators and institutions that discover, nurture and promote talents to the world stage.
The Vice President spoke on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while receiving Adamu and a delegation led by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Malam Shehu Dikko.
He congratulated Adamu on his historic appointment and urged him to demonstrate exemplary leadership, integrity and commitment in his new role as the chief administrator of African football.
“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.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Vice President described Adamu as a role model for young Nigerians and encouraged him to use the opportunity to project the country positively.
“The President is proud of you Samson Adamu, go and do a yo-man’s job. Go and promote, protect and project and preserve the interest of the Nigerian nation,” he said.
Shettima said football remained a powerful force capable of bringing Nigerians together despite differences, noting that the sport often unites citizens whenever the national teams compete.
“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,” he added.
The Vice President also stressed that Nigeria’s diversity remains a strength, saying the country’s shared bonds are stronger than the divisions often highlighted in public discussions.
He praised the contributions of coaches, talent scouts, administrators and other sports officials whose efforts often go unnoticed but remain crucial to the emergence of successful Nigerian athletes.
“The minds that organize, the hands that prepare and the institutions that give talents a fighting chance, are always not recognized. This is why from the bottom of my heart, on behalf of my Boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we appreciate you,” Shettima said.
He recalled the achievements of Nigerian football icons, including Rashidi Yekini, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha and Finidi George, saying their successes were made possible by individuals and institutions that identified and developed their talents.
Earlier, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko commended the Federal Government for supporting sports development and improving Nigeria’s profile in the international sporting community.
Dikko described Adamu’s emergence as CAF General Secretary as a major milestone for Nigerian sports administration, adding that the appointment would further strengthen Nigeria’s influence in African football.
He also praised the approval for Nigeria to host the CAF General Assembly and CAF Awards in November and December 2026, respectively, saying such events would help attract investment and partnerships into the country’s sports sector.
Speaking after his appointment, Adamu expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and Nigerians, describing his emergence as the first Nigerian to occupy the CAF General Secretary position in the organisation’s 70-year history as a source of national pride.
He pledged to use his experience as CAF’s former Director of Competitions to improve the administration of African football and contribute to the growth of the sport across the continent.
Adamu was appointed CAF General Secretary on Sunday, November 1, 2026, following a recruitment process by the continental football body. He is expected to oversee CAF’s daily administration and operations.
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