Shettima backs new CAF scribe Adamu to protect Nigeria's interests

Vice President Kashim Shettima don talk say Nigerians get di ability to run sports at di highest level, and e point to Samson Adamu new job as di first Nigerian general secretary of di Confederation of African Football (CAF) as proof.

Shettima talk on Tuesday for di Presidential Villa for Abuja, where e receive Adamu and a team wey Shehu Dikko, chairman of di National Sports Commission, lead. Di sources differ small on di venue, with ThisDay talk say di meeting hold for di State House.

Dem name Adamu as CAF general secretary on Sunday, 1 November 2026, after a recruitment exercise by di continental body. He go handle CAF daily administration and before now, na him be di director of competitions.

Shettima talk say Nigeria sporting record come from him people and from di coaches, scouts and officials wey dey spot and grow talent, many of whom e talk say people no dey notice. He name former stars Rashidi Yekini, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha and Finidi George as examples of talent wey dem find and develop for home.

He tell Adamu to represent Nigeria well for di role. "Go and promote, protect and project and preserve the interest of the Nigerian nation," Shettima talk, and add say President Bola Tinubu dey proud of di appointment.

Di Vice President also talk say football dey bring Nigerians together. "Anytime Nigeria play, e dey tend to subsume all other identities," he talk, and add say wetin dey bind Nigerians together strong pass wetin dey divide dem.

Wetin go happen next

Dikko talk say di Federal Government don approve say Nigeria go host di CAF General Assembly in November and di CAF Awards in December 2026. He talk say government support for sports don raise Nigeria profile abroad and help draw investment through sporting events and partnerships.

Adamu thank di government for him backing and talk say being di first Nigerian for di post in CAF 70-year history na matter of national pride. He promise to use him experience to improve how dem dey run CAF and to push African football forward, and talk say he go help Nigeria develop him football talent.

For ordinary Nigerians, di appointment and di two CAF events give di country a bigger voice for African football and a chance to earn from hosting visitors. Whether dat go turn to better pitches, funding and opportunities for young players na di test wey dey ahead.