Nigerian sprint sensation Favour Ofili has allegedly switched her national allegiance to Turkey, just months before the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The development has stirred reactions across athletics communities and reawakened concerns over Nigeria’s long-standing sports administration issues.
According to Jamaica-based sports journalist Kayon Raynor, Ofili officially notified the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on May 31 that she no longer wishes to compete for Nigeria.
The 22-year-old athlete, currently still listed under Nigeria by World Athletics, reportedly said her decision had nothing to do with money.
“This was not a financially motivated decision,” she was quoted as stating, addressing speculation surrounding her move. Instead, she blamed years of administrative disappointment by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
Ofili pointed to two specific incidents. First, she missed the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games due to the AFN’s failure to confirm her doping control status.
Then, at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the federation reportedly failed to register her for the 100m event. Despite this setback, she still made it to the final of the 200m, finishing sixth.
Her frustrations mirror what many Nigerian athletes have faced over the years, with several ending up competing for other countries that provide better structure, funding, and professional care.
Turkey Gains Star Sprinter as Nigeria Loses Another Talent
The switch to Turkey could be a game changer for Ofili, who is currently one of the world’s top sprinters.
She recently made headlines in May at the Adidas Atlanta City Games, where she set a new world record in the 150m sprint. Her time of 15.85 seconds broke the previous mark of 16.23 seconds held by Olympic gold medalist Shaunae Miller-Uibo.
The Turkish Athletics Federation has been quietly building its sprinting strength, recruiting athletes from countries like Jamaica and reportedly offering incentives as high as $500,000 for those willing to switch.
Nigeria’s loss of Ofili follows a worrying trend. Francis Obikwelu left for Portugal in the early 2000s, later winning Olympic medals. Gloria Alozie moved to Spain after years of friction with Nigeria’s sports authorities. Femi Ogunode also joined Qatar and went on to claim Asian titles and world recognition.
Ofili’s departure, if confirmed by World Athletics, could weaken Nigeria’s chances at the Tokyo championships. She was one of the country’s top hopes for a medal in the women’s 200m and other short-distance relay events.
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