By Chesa Chesa
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged the newly appointed General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Samson Adamu, to use his new position to advance African football and protect Nigeria’s national interests.
Shettima also declared that Nigerians possess the talent and capacity to occupy leadership positions in global sports, describing Adamu’s appointment as the first Nigerian to head CAF’s secretariat as evidence of the country’s potential for international leadership.
The Vice President gave the charge on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while receiving Adamu alongside a delegation led by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Malam Shehu Dikko.
Congratulating the new CAF General Secretary, Shettima, who conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s goodwill, urged him to distinguish himself through exemplary leadership, diligence, integrity and patriotism.
“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 said.
He described Adamu as a role model for young Nigerians and encouraged him to promote, protect and project the country’s interests in his new assignment.
“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. So Samson, I wish you all the best,” Shettima said.
He described football as a unifying force in Nigeria, noting that the sport often transcends ethnic, religious and other social differences whenever the national team takes to the field.
According to him, Nigeria’s diversity should be seen as a source of strength, adding that the bonds holding the country together are stronger than the divisions often highlighted in public discourse.
The Vice President also acknowledged the contributions of coaches, talent scouts, sports administrators and institutions whose efforts in identifying and nurturing talents often go unrecognised.
He cited the achievements of Nigerian football legends, including Rashidi Yekini, Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha and Finidi George, noting that their successes were built on the support of individuals and institutions that discovered and developed their abilities.
Earlier, Dikko thanked President Tinubu and the Federal Government for their support for sports development, saying the administration’s commitment had helped improve Nigeria’s international sporting profile and attract investment opportunities.
He described Adamu’s emergence as CAF General Secretary as a major milestone for Nigerian sports administration.
Dikko also expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for approving Nigeria’s hosting of the CAF General Assembly in November and the CAF Awards in December 2026.
In his remarks, Adamu thanked the Federal Government for its support, describing his appointment as the first Nigerian to occupy the position in CAF’s 70-year history as a source of national pride.
He pledged to deploy his experience as CAF’s former Director of Competitions to strengthen the administration of the continental football governing body and promote the development of African football.
Adamu also expressed commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to harness its abundant football talents and maximise its potential in continental and global sports.
He was appointed CAF General Secretary on Sunday, November 1, 2026, following a recruitment exercise by the continental football governing body. He is expected to oversee the organisation’s day-to-day administration.
