… Says Nigerians have capacity to lead global sports

… Adamu’s appointment historic, says NSC chairman

Vice President Kashim Shettima has charged the newly appointed General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Samson Adamu, to protect Nigeria’s interests while advancing the development of football across the continent.

Shettima, who described Adamu’s appointment as a major milestone for Nigeria, said the country possessed the talent, expertise and institutional capacity to produce leaders capable of excelling at the highest levels of global sports administration.

The Vice President spoke on Tuesday at the State House, Abuja, while receiving Adamu and a delegation led by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Malam Shehu Dikko.

Conveying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s goodwill to the new CAF chief administrator, Shettima urged him to discharge his responsibilities with integrity, diligence and a strong sense of national pride.

In a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said: “The President is proud of you, Samson Adamu. Go and do a yeoman’s job. Go and promote, protect, project and preserve the interest of the Nigerian nation. Samson, I wish you all the best”.

Shettima noted that Nigeria’s remarkable sporting achievements over the decades demonstrated the enormous potential of its citizens to compete and lead internationally.

“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”, he stated.

The Vice President also described football as one of Nigeria’s strongest instruments of national cohesion, saying its ability to unite citizens across ethnic, religious and political divides underscored the country’s shared identity.

“Football especially is a uniting force in this country. Anytime Nigeria plays, it tends to subsume all other identities. Football and sports generally are sources of unity for our country. What binds us together supersedes whatever divides us”, he said.

He maintained that Nigeria’s diversity remained a source of strength, stressing that the bonds connecting its people were far stronger than the differences often emphasised in public discourse.

Shettima paid tribute to the contributions of coaches, scouts, administrators and sporting institutions whose efforts had sustained Nigeria’s achievements, even when their roles attracted little public recognition.

“The minds that organise, the hands that prepare and the institutions that give talents a fighting chance are often not recognised. This is why, from the bottom of my heart, on behalf of my boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we appreciate you”, he said.

Recalling the exploits of football legends such as Rashidi Yekini, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha and Finidi George, the Vice President observed that their successes reflected not only individual brilliance but also the contributions of those who discovered and nurtured their talents.

Earlier, Dikko described Adamu’s emergence as CAF General Secretary as a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s growing influence in international sports administration.

He commended President Tinubu for supporting sports development, saying the administration’s policies were strengthening Nigeria’s international sporting profile and creating investment opportunities.

The NSC chairman also expressed appreciation for the Federal Government’s approval of Nigeria’s hosting of the CAF General Assembly in November and CAF Awards in December 2026.

According to him, such international engagements would further position Nigeria as a destination for major sporting events, partnerships and investments.

In his remarks, Adamu thanked the Federal Government for its support, describing his appointment as the first Nigerian General Secretary in CAF’s 70-year history as both an honour and a responsibility.

He pledged to use his experience as the continental football body’s former Director of Competitions to strengthen its administration and accelerate African football’s development

Adamu also promised to support efforts to maximise Nigeria’s abundant football talent and strengthen the country’s standing in continental and international football.

The new CAF General Secretary was appointed on Sunday, November 1, 2026, following a recruitment exercise conducted by the continental football governing body.

He will oversee CAF’s day-to-day administration.