Former FIFA Secretary-General, Fatma Samoura, speaks on her years running world football’s governing body, her decision to join the Advisory Board of the African Collaborations Group, why she believes Africa’s sporting talent and money should stay on the continent, and more in this interview with PETER AKINBO
You made history as the first woman and first African to serve as FIFA Secretary-General. What were the biggest lessons from your time at the top of global football governance?
When I look back at my years in football, one of the things I value most is the perspective my previous career at the United Nations gave me. I came to FIFA after more than two decades of working in international development, in very different countries and often in difficult environments. That experience taught me that institutions do not change simply because there is a good strategy on paper. They change when people are willing to lead, listen, build trust and stay the course.
What impact did you try to make at FIFA?
When I joined FIFA in 2016, the organisation was going through one of the most difficult periods in its history. My priority was not to manage an institution; it was to help restore confidence in one that had a responsibility to the entire football family. We worked on governance, transparency and professionalism, and on making sure FIFA’s resources and programmes could have a meaningful impact across all six confederations. My second lesson is that diversity at the table matters, but diversity alone is not enough. Being the first African and the first woman in that position was historic, but I always felt the real responsibility was to deliver. Representation has meaning when it opens doors for others and when it is backed by competence, integrity and results. Finally, I learned that leadership is ultimately about people. You cannot transform an organisation from behind a desk. You have to engage with people, understand different realities and bring them together around a common purpose.
