CAF Appoints Amaju Pinnick as Special Adviser to President Motsepe

Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Melvin Pinnick has been appointed Special Adviser to the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr. Patrice Motsepe.

The announcement was made during a CAF executive press briefing livestreamed on YouTube on Saturday, where Motsepe warmly welcomed Pinnick back into the inner circle of African football governance.

“I did not know Amaju is so loved in CAF,” Motsepe remarked, acknowledging the positive reception that followed Pinnick’s appointment.

As Special Adviser, Pinnick will attend all CAF Executive Committee meetings in an advisory capacity and contribute to high-level decision-making processes, particularly in areas related to governance, strategic planning, and continental football development.

The 54-year-old sports administrator, who hails from Delta State, Nigeria, brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having previously served at both CAF and FIFA levels. His appointment is widely seen as recognition of his continued influence and long-standing commitment to the growth of African football.

Pinnick’s return to CAF comes less than a year after he lost his seat on the FIFA Council, the highest decision-making body in world football. However, he remains active on the global stage as a member of the FIFA Organising Committee for Competitions.

Notably, this will not be Pinnick’s first stint in CAF leadership. He previously served as CAF First Vice President under former CAF President Ahmad Ahmad from September 2018 to July 2019—a role that made him one of the most influential football administrators on the continent at the time.

Pinnick was also a two-term president of the Nigeria Football Federation, first elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2018. During his tenure, he oversaw significant reforms in Nigerian football, including improved contract structures for national team coaches, greater corporate sponsorship, and stronger engagement with international football bodies.

With this latest appointment, Pinnick becomes one of the most experienced Nigerian football administrators to hold multiple strategic roles across CAF and FIFA, following in the footsteps of Nigerian predecessors Oyo Orok Oyo and Amos Adamu, who also served on global football platforms.

His return to CAF’s top echelon is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s voice in continental football politics and policy formulation ahead of major tournaments, including the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup in US, Mexico and Canada.