In a move that has stirred deep emotions across the athletics world and drawn sharp attention to Nigeria’s sports administration, 22-year-old sprint sensation Favour Ofili has reportedly changed her international allegiance to Turkey. The change is said to have taken effect on May 31, just three months before the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The news, first reported by Jamaican journalist Kayon Raynor via TVJ Newscentre, is yet to be officially confirmed by Ofili herself, but sources close to the athlete say the decision is rooted in years of disappointment and frustration, not financial gain.
According to these sources, Ofili informed the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of her decision, citing a repeated pattern of neglect and administrative missteps by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). While many expected her to be among Nigeria’s brightest prospects for future global medals, Ofili has reportedly grown tired of being let down by systems meant to support her.
Ofili’s journey has been one of consistent excellence on the track, but rocky support off it. She boasts personal bests of 10.93 seconds in the 100m and 21.96 seconds in the 200m, times that place her firmly among the world’s bests. Yet, on more than one occasion, her Olympic dreams have been disrupted by what she views as preventable mismanagement.
The heartbreak began at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where Ofili was barred from competing due to Nigeria’s failure to meet doping control protocols for athletes training abroad. She was among ten athletes — mostly U.S.-based — who paid the price for what many observers called a bureaucratic failure.
And then came Paris 2024. Despite qualifying for both the 100m and 200m, she was told that she wouldn’t be competing in the 100m games. The reason? Yet another administrative error, this time involving her registration.
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Ofili took to social media with a heartfelt statement:
“It is with great regret that I have just been told I will not be competing in the 100 metres at this Olympic Games. I qualified, but those with the AFN and NOC failed to enter my name… I have worked for four years to earn this opportunity.”
She went on to recall the Tokyo setback and questioned how athletes are supposed to trust governing bodies when no one is held accountable.
For Nigerian athletics fans, the reported switch stings deeply, not just because of Ofili’s talent, but because it represents a growing pattern. Nigeria has seen several athletes switch allegiance in recent years, many citing similar frustrations with poor organization and lack of support.
Ofili’s decision, if confirmed, would mean she could line up under Turkey’s flag at the World Championships in Tokyo this September. A painful twist, considering the missed opportunities she’s endured under the Nigerian banner.
While the Turkish Athletics Federation has yet to make a public statement, insiders say they are preparing to officially welcome Ofili into their squad. Her switch could instantly bolster their chances of podium finishes in the women’s sprint events.
Ofili’s case may once again raise the alarm over the state of athletics governance in Nigeria. With international talent slipping away and athletes speaking out more frequently, pressure is mounting on the AFN and Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) to take responsibility and reform.
