Nigerian Sprinter Favour Ofili Switches Allegiance to Turkey
Nigerian sprinter and 150m world record holder, Favour Ofili, has reportedly switched her sporting allegiance to Turkey, just months before the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Jamaica-based journalist Kayon Raynor disclosed the development on his X account on Saturday, citing sources from TVJ News Centre.
According to Raynor, the switch took effect on May 31, 2025, and was formally communicated to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) following what he described as persistent frustrations with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
“Ofili has advised the Athletics Integrity Unit of her frustration with the Nigerian Athletics Federation,” Raynor posted. He added that the sprinter had “embraced Turkish citizenship” after being repeatedly sidelined by Nigerian sports authorities.
Ofili, 22, reportedly referenced her exclusion from the 100m event at the 2024 Paris Olympics and her absence from the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to administrative lapses as key reasons for the decision.
“She stated that the Nigerian Athletics Federation caused her to miss the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after they did not confirm her number of doping control tests,” Raynor noted. “She then missed competing in the 100m at the Paris Olympics after they did not enter her for the event. She was sixth in the 200m final.”
Sources close to the athlete indicated that her decision to switch nationality was based on professional frustrations rather than financial incentives, despite ongoing reports that Turkey has offered substantial benefits—including up to $500,000—to attract international athletes.
Turkey has previously recruited athletes from countries such as Jamaica and Nigeria as part of efforts to boost its global athletics profile. Nigeria, in turn, has witnessed a string of high-profile defections in the past, including Francis Obikwelu (Portugal), Gloria Alozie (Spain), and Femi Ogunode (Qatar), all of whom achieved international success representing their adopted countries.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has yet to issue an official response to the development.