Favour Ofili Switches Allegiance To Turkey After Years Of Frustration With Nigerian Athletics Federation.
In a significant development for global athletics, Nigerian sprint sensation Favour Ofili has officially transferred her allegiance to Turkey, citing persistent administrative failures by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC). The 22-year-old, known for her blistering pace and record-breaking performances, began the process on 31 May 2025, as confirmed by Jamaican sports journalist Kayon Raynor via a post on X. This move marks a new chapter for Ofili, who has faced repeated setbacks due to mismanagement by Nigerian sporting authorities.
Ofili’s decision follows a series of high-profile blunders that have marred her Olympic aspirations. Despite qualifying for the women’s 100m at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the AFN and NOC failed to register her for the event, robbing her of the chance to compete on one of the world’s biggest stages. This was not an isolated incident. In 2021, Ofili was unable to participate in the Tokyo Olympics 200m event after the AFN and the National Anti-Doping Committee (NADC) neglected to arrange timely doping tests, a lapse that also affected 13 other Nigerian athletes.
Speaking to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), Ofili expressed that her switch to Turkey was driven by “years of neglect” rather than financial incentives, a sentiment echoed by Raynor’s report. “It’s further understood that Ofili impressed upon the AIU that her switch to Turkey was not for financial reasons,” Raynor noted, highlighting the athlete’s personal bests of 10.93 seconds in the 100m and 21.96 seconds in the 200m, which position her as a formidable contender on the global stage.
The timing of Ofili’s decision is particularly poignant, as the AFN leadership, widely criticised for its incompetence, was re-elected in June 2025, just weeks after she initiated her allegiance transfer. This has sparked widespread debate in Nigeria, with fans and analysts lamenting the loss of one of the country’s brightest talents. A post on X by user @OjiUgo_nwa encapsulated the sentiment, stating, “It’s a good thing that Favour Ofili has switched her allegiance to Turkey, a country that will prioritise her career and talent after Nigeria messed her over twice. I wish you success nne.”
Ofili’s achievements speak for themselves. A former World U20 champion, African Senior Athletics Championships gold medallist in the 200m, and the current Nigerian record holder in the 200m (both indoors and outdoors), she recently set a world best in the women’s 150m with a stunning 15.85 seconds at the Adidas Atlanta City Games in May 2025. Her move to Turkey is reportedly part of a broader recruitment drive by the Turkish Athletics Federation, which is targeting up to 15 athletes for the LA 2028 Olympics, with financial packages starting at $500,000 and potentially rising to $1,000,000.
While some, like athletics reporter Fumilayo Fameso, have expressed disappointment, arguing that Nigeria played a crucial role in Ofili’s development, others see her decision as a necessary step to safeguard her career. “Nigeria made you,” Fameso posted on X, urging reflection on how the country nurtures its talent. However, the overwhelming sentiment among fans is one of support for Ofili, coupled with frustration at the systemic failures that have driven her away.
As Ofili prepares to don the Turkish colours, her story serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by athletes in Nigeria, where talent often outshines infrastructure. The athletics world now watches with bated breath to see how this dynamic sprinter will flourish under her new flag, with hopes high for a medal at the 2025 World Athletics Championships and beyond.
For Ofili, this is not just a change of allegiance but a bold statement of intent: her talent deserves a platform that matches her ambition.