The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has expressed disappointment over reports that Commonwealth Games silver medallist Favour Ofili has opted to switch international allegiance to Turkey. However, the federation says it will not stop her if she chooses to leave.
AFN President Tonobok Okowa disclosed this in a media chat with journalists, saying the federation had not yet received official communication from Ofili or World Athletics on the reported nationality switch.
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“If this is true, it is sad, disheartening and painful,” Okowa said. “But we are yet to get any official statement from her or any correspondence from World Athletics. She is a promising athlete with huge potential.”
Support provided despite discontent
Okowa noted that Ofili had already received her 2025 training grant, highlighting the federation’s commitment to supporting her career.
“We and the National Sports Commission (NSC) have been working hard to get athletics and other sports in the country back on track,” he said. “She is still our child, our sister, and our daughter. But it’s painful and hard to take for us. However, we will not stop her.”
Frustration with AFN sparked decision
Reports indicate that Ofili, 22, grew frustrated with repeated administrative failings by the AFN.
These included her exclusion from the 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics despite qualifying and her disqualification from the Tokyo 2020 Games due to Nigeria’s failure to meet anti-doping compliance standards.
Jamaica-based journalist Kayon Raynor reported that Ofili officially switched allegiance to Turkey as of May 31, 2025.
Not the first to exit Nigeria’s athletics system
If confirmed, Ofili would join a growing list of Nigerian-born athletes—such as Francis Obikwelu (Portugal), Gloria Alozie (Spain), and Femi Ogunode (Qatar), who have opted to represent other countries amid frustrations with Nigeria’s athletics governance.
Eligibility for Turkey in 2028
Under World Athletics rules, athletes switching nationalities must observe a three-year waiting period before representing their new country in international competitions. This means Ofili would become eligible to represent Turkey at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
As of now, Favour Ofili remains listed as a Nigerian athlete on the official World Athletics website.
