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Summary
Nigerian sprint star Favour Ofili has officially switched allegiance to Turkey, citing repeated administrative failures by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria. Her decision follows years of frustration, including disqualifications and omissions from Olympic events due to the federation’s mistakes.
Nigerian sprint star Favour Ofili has officially transferred her international allegiance to Turkey, effective May 31, 2025, following growing frustration with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
It was reported that the 22-year-old athlete informed the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) that her decision was not financially motivated. Instead, it was driven by years of dissatisfaction with how Nigerian athletics officials had managed her career.
Favour, who boasts personal bests of 10.93 seconds in the 100m and 21.96 seconds in the 200m, reportedly referenced multiple administrative failures in her application to the AIU. Among them was Nigeria’s failure to meet anti-doping compliance standards ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which led to her disqualification alongside nine other athletes.
More recently, she was omitted from the 100m lineup for the Paris 2024 Olympics due to what she described as another avoidable oversight. Though she competed in the 200m and placed sixth, the incident deepened her frustration with the AFN.
Her move comes just three months before the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where she is expected to represent Turkey.
The AFN President, Tonobok Okowa expressed pain and disappointment over Favour Ofili’s decision to switch allegiance to Turkey, acknowledging that while it’s difficult to accept, she is old enough to make her own choices. Despite her departure, they still consider her part of the Nigerian athletics family and won’t stand in her way.
