Nigeria’s sprint sensation, Favour Ofili switches allegiance to Turkey

Nigerian sprint sensation, Favour Ofili, has officially switched her sporting nationality to Turkey, ending years of representing her country on the global stage.

The 22-year-old, who specializes in the 100m, 150m, and 200m events, confirmed the move on Monday through a post on her X handle.

Reports of her decision first surfaced in July, following a prolonged rift with Nigerian athletics authorities.

Ofili cited repeated administrative failings that derailed her career at crucial moments, including her exclusion from two successive Olympic Games.

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the Port Harcourt-born athlete was disqualified due to the Nigerian Olympic authorities’ failure to update her on mandatory drug-testing requirements.

Four years later, at Paris 2024, another clerical error by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) saw her omitted from the 100m event entry list.

In her statement, Ofili described her nationality switch as a “big decision” driven by years of frustration.

“Wrapping up my 2025 season has been a whirlwind of new experiences and big decisions. Racing back-to-back across amazing cities and learning from the best has been incredible. As some of you have heard, I’m also starting a new chapter representing Turkey,” she wrote.

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While expressing pride in her achievements for Nigeria — including six gold medals, two silver medals, two bronze medals, and a 200m Olympic final appearance — Ofili accused the AFN and Nigeria Olympic Committee of consistent negligence.

“I am proud to have represented Nigeria for many years in a highly successful way… but after the biggest disappointments from AFN and NOC towards me, I have made this decision,” she added.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medalist clarified that her decision was not motivated by financial gain but by a desire for a fresh start.

“While that means sitting out this year’s championship in Tokyo, this change comes from the heart, not from financial motives. I’m truly grateful to have discovered a new home in Turkey,” she said.

Ofili now joins the ranks of other elite Nigerian athletes who switched allegiances after disputes with national sports authorities, including Gloria Alozie, who represented Spain, and Francis Obikwelu, who ran for Portugal in the 2000s.

Her move has sparked renewed debate about Nigeria’s sports administration, with critics pointing to recurring negligence that has cost the nation some of its brightest talents.