Nigerian-born sprinter, Favour Ofili, has officially switched her nationality to Turkey after years of frustrations with Nigerian athletics authorities.
The 22-year-old speedster, who specialises in the 100m, 150m and 200m events, confirmed the decision on Monday via a post on her X handle.
Speculations about her switch first surfaced in July following reports of a long-standing feud between the Port Harcourt-born athlete and Nigeria’s track administrators.
Ofili was one of the Nigerian athletes who missed the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after officials failed to update them on the minimum drug-testing requirements for participation. Four years later, at Paris 2024, another administrative blunder by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) prevented her from competing in the women’s 100m after her name was not submitted on time.
Citing repeated negligence, Ofili described her move to Turkey as a “big decision” taken from the heart.
“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.
Ofili, who won silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, stressed that financial incentives played no role in her decision.
“I am proud to have represented Nigeria for many years in a highly successful way! Having won six gold medals, two silver medals and two bronze medals in championship meets and a 200m Olympic finalist while experiencing the biggest disappointments from AFN and NOC towards me… 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.”
With this move, Ofili joins a growing list of top Nigerian athletes—such as Gloria Alozie, who switched allegiance to Spain, and Francis Obikwelu, who ran for Portugal—who opted to represent other countries after falling out with Nigerian sports authorities.
