The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed Samson Adamu as its substantive General Secretary.

The decision follows his initial appointment as interim placeholder for the role in March, following the resignation of Swiss-Congolese official Veron Mosengo-Omba. With this confirmation, Adamu becomes the first Nigerian to hold the post since CAF was founded in 1957.

The 40-year-old, who previously served as CAF’s Director of Competitions, assumes control of the administrative engine room of African football following approval by the executive committee.

He will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day administration, managing legal matters, and implementing resolutions passed by the executive body.

Adamu brings extensive experience in sports governance, having played a central role in organizing major continental competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the CAF Champions League. He holds a FIFA Master degree in management, law, and humanities of sport, and began his career in football administration by founding the Copa Lagos beach soccer tournament in the early 2010s.