The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Samson Adamu as its permanent secretary general, ending the seven-month period of interim leadership that followed Veron Mosengo-Omba’s departure.

Adamu had been serving as acting secretary general since 29 March 2026. He is the first Nigerian to hold the position permanently since CAF was founded in 1957.

The decision was taken by the organisation led by president Patrice Motsepe, after the post was left vacant following Mosengo-Omba’s resignation. The Congolese administrator had spent five years leading CAF’s administration before returning to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he became president of the federation.

Adamu’s appointment was welcomed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Its acting secretary general, Emmanuel Ikpeme, expressed satisfaction with the decision and confidence in his compatriot’s ability to carry out the role.

As CAF’s administrative chief, the secretary general is responsible for overseeing the organisation’s day-to-day operations, coordinating its various activities and ensuring that decisions made by its governing bodies are implemented.

Experience across CAF competitions

Adamu has held several senior positions within African football’s governing body. Before taking on the interim secretary general’s role, he served as director of competitions and later as director of tournaments and events.

Those positions gave him responsibility for helping organise CAF’s leading continental competitions and provided extensive experience of working with national football associations, host countries and the organisation’s various partners.

He completed the FIFA Master in 2009, an international programme specialising in sports management. Before joining CAF, he had worked in the private sector, including at Kinetic Sport Management, a company involved in staging the Copa Lagos international beach soccer competition in Nigeria.

Adamu is also the son of Amos Adamu, a former senior Nigerian sports official and former member of the FIFA Executive Committee.

His confirmation comes during an important period for CAF. The organisation has recently abandoned its plan to stage the Africa Cup of Nations every four years.

Adamu will now be tasked with helping to implement CAF’s reforms and supporting the organisation’s long-term ambitions across the continent.