Pinnick Congratulates Adamu, Says He Has Capacity to Deliver for African Football

Amaju Melvin Pinnick, OFR, ROI, Deputy Chairman of FIFA’s Men’s National Team Competition Committee, has applauded the appointment of Nigerian football administrator Samson Adamu as Acting General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Pinnick, who served as President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) when Adamu first joined CAF as Competitions Director, described the elevation as a landmark achievement for Nigeria and African football.

He noted that Adamu’s appointment marks the first time a Nigerian has occupied the prestigious position of General Secretary in CAF’s history.

‘Congratulations to Mr Samson Adamu on this well-deserved elevation,’ Pinnick said. ‘You have proved your capacity and I have no doubts that you will deliver on the job and make Nigeria and Africa proud. This is a landmark achievement, and I believe greater glory awaits you after this honour.’

Pinnick, who also serves as Special Advisor to the CAF President, emphasized Adamu’s professionalism and deep knowledge of football administration at the highest level.

He urged him to remain diligent and impartial in carrying out his duties, stressing that CAF is a body with diverse interests and requires adherence to its statutes for effective governance.

Adamu’s appointment was proposed by the CAF Executive Committee and ratified by the Congress during its meeting at the Giza Palace Hotel in Cairo.

He succeeds Veron Mosengo-Omba, a Congolese lawyer and Swiss national, who stepped down amid controversy following CAF’s decision to strip Senegal of the AFCON 2025 hosting rights and award them to Morocco.

Mosengo-Omba is believed to be pursuing the presidency of the Congolese Football Federation.

With Adamu’s elevation, Nigeria has secured a historic presence at the helm of CAF’s administration, a development Pinnick described as a testament to the country’s growing influence in continental football governance.