Nigerian Sprint Star Favour Ofili Switches Allegiance to represent Turkey After Repeated Neglect

Favour Ofili at the Paris 2024 Olympics(Image Source: X)

Reporter

Nigerian sprint sensation Favour Ofili is seeking a change in national allegiance amid reports of repeated neglect and administrative blunders by Nigerian sports authorities.

The 22-year-old track star has officially notified the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of her intention to represent Turkey, citing persistent failures by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) as the tipping point. Ofili’s frustration reportedly reached its peak during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Despite having met the qualifying standard for the women’s 100m event, she was shockingly left out due to what officials described as an administrative oversight — a repeat of the blunder that also cost her a spot at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. In Tokyo, Nigerian officials failed to confirm the number of doping control tests she had undergone, rendering her ineligible. In Paris, she missed the 100m again due to not being officially entered into the event, despite qualifying. She went on to finish sixth in the 200m final.

Sources close to the athlete say Ofili’s decision has been years in the making, driven by a consistent lack of institutional support and systemic mismanagement that has jeopardized her professional prospects. Widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s brightest sprinting prospects, Ofili boasts personal bests of 10.93 seconds in the 100m and 21.96 seconds in the 200m. Her potential switch to Turkey could deal a devastating blow to Nigeria’s sprinting future and stands as a damning indictment of the nation's athletics administration. President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Tonobok Okowa, told reporters that the federation had not yet received formal notification from either Ofili or World Athletics regarding her intention to switch allegiance. However, he acknowledged that if the reports are true, it would be “sad, disheartening, and painful.”

Ofili’s move not only signals the loss of a world-class athlete for Nigeria but also adds to growing concerns about institutional failures in Nigerian sports, which have led several athletes in recent years to seek opportunities elsewhere. If approved, Ofili will become one of several high-profile African athletes representing other nations, reflecting a troubling trend of talent flight driven by mismanagement and underinvestment in homegrown talent. (Favour Ofili to represent Turkey)