In a terrible blow to Nigerian athletics, Sprint Star Favour Ofili has reportedly decided to change her international allegiance to Turkey, effective May 31, 2025. This move has raised concerns among sports officials and fans alike.
Ofili’s decision stems from her frustrations with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), representing a considerable loss for the nation’s sporting landscape. The athlete, who finished sixth in the 200m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, had previously voiced her grievances to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), citing the AFN’s repeated mismanagement of her career.
Sources indicate that Ofili’s decision was influenced by two major incidents. In 2020, the AFN’s failure to verify her doping control tests led to her exclusion from the Tokyo Olympics. More recently, the federation neglected to register her for the 100m event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which limited her participation solely to the 200m. These missteps have intensified her frustrations with the leadership of the AFN.
Reports suggest that Turkey’s Sports Ministry has been actively pursuing Ofili, offering her a signing fee of $500,000 in exchange for her commitment to represent the country in international competitions.
Attempts to obtain a comment from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria regarding this development were unsuccessful. The Federation’s Secretary General, Israel Inwang, did not respond to calls or messages sent via WhatsApp by our reporter.
Ofili’s defection follows a trend of similar switches by other athletes, including Francis Obikwelu and Gloria Anozie, who left Nigeria for Portugal and Spain, respectively, after expressing dissatisfaction with Nigerian sports administration. This situation raises pressing questions about the state of athletics governance in Nigeria and the potential implications for future talent retention.
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