Nigerian sprint sensation, Favour Ofili, has officially switched her nationality to Turkey, following years of frustration and disappointment with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). The decision marks a significant loss for Nigerian athletics, as Ofili is widely regarded as one of the country’s most promising track stars.
According to ThisDay, Ofili’s move was triggered by her exclusion from the women’s 100m event at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, despite having met the qualification standards. The 21-year-old sprinter boasts an impressive personal best of 10.93 seconds in the 100m and 21.96 seconds in the 200m — times that place her among the world’s elite.
This isn’t Ofili’s first run-in with administrative failure. She was one of 13 Nigerian athletes disqualified from the Tokyo 2021 Olympics due to Nigeria’s non-compliance with anti-doping protocols, a major embarrassment blamed squarely on the negligence of the AFN and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC).
Sources reveal that she initiated her nationality switch on May 31, 2025, and has already notified the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of her decision to represent Turkey going forward.
In a statement, Ofili made it clear that her move was not about money but about respect and opportunity.
“I just want to run for a country that values its athletes and won’t waste their potential,” she said.
Her exit is a direct indictment of the AFN’s leadership, which despite growing backlash and criticism, was re-elected in June 2025 for another four-year term. Many within Nigeria’s sports community have voiced concerns about the continued mismanagement, poor athlete welfare, and lack of transparency under the federation’s watch.
Ofili’s defection is expected to spark a fresh wave of scrutiny on the AFN, especially as more young Nigerian athletes express dissatisfaction with the country’s sports administration. Her departure follows similar moves by other talents who have chosen to compete under foreign flags due to systemic issues back home.
