Former chairman of the Technical Committee of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Chris Green, has urged Nigeria’s football authorities to become more actively involved in continental football politics, warning that a laid-back approach risks diminishing the country’s influence across Africa.
Green lamented what he described as a passive stance by the NFF in continental affairs and called for deliberate engagement to protect and advance Nigeria’s interests in African football governance.
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“We either wake up now or allow those who know the game to step in,” Green said in a forceful appeal to administrators. He expressed concern that if the NFF continues to register a low profile in meetings, elections and policy debates at Confederation of African Football (CAF) level, Nigeria will cede leadership to more proactive federations.
“Things could get worse if there is no active participation to be influential in the continent’s football,” he warned, stressing that political presence matters as much as on-field success.
Green outlined areas where Nigeria should assert its influence, including committee placements, votes on reform proposals, and the shaping of continental competitions and development programmes.
He argued that involvement in such processes ensures that Nigeria’s views on coaching, refereeing, youth development and commercial strategies are reflected in CAF’s agenda. “Football politics is not about ego; it is about shaping the game for our players and administrators. When you are absent, you lose the chance to defend your priorities,” he said.
The former NFF technical committee chair also suggested that internal reforms would strengthen Nigeria’s bargaining position. “A united, transparent and professionally run federation commands respect.
We must clean our house internally to be taken seriously externally,” Green said, calling on stakeholders — government, clubs, former players and sponsors — to support a reinvigoration of the federation.
His comments come amid heightened competition among African federations to secure key CAF roles and commercial partnerships, with implications for tournament hosting, development funding and continental representation on global platforms.
For Green, the remedy is simple and urgent: “Get involved, vote wisely, and put administrators who understand modern football at the forefront — or we will watch our voice fade.”
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