22 June 2025
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the athletics world, Nigerian sprinting sensation Favour Ofili has officially switched her allegiance to Turkey, citing repeated mishandling by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC). The 22-year-old, dubbed ‘Star Girl’ for her electrifying performances, began the process of changing her national representation on 31 May 2025, following years of frustration with Nigeria’s athletics governance. This decision marks a significant loss for Nigeria, reminiscent of the departure of Francis Obikwelu, who won Olympic medals for Portugal after leaving Nigeria in 2004.
Ofili’s decision stems from a series of administrative failures that have marred her career. Most recently, despite meeting the 100m qualifying standard for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the AFN and NOC failed to register her for the event. This was a devastating blow for Ofili, who had been poised to make her mark on the global stage. It was not the first time she had been let down by her federation. In 2021, Ofili missed the Tokyo Olympics 200m event after the AFN and the Nigerian Anti-Doping Committee (NADC) failed to arrange timely doping tests, a blunder that also affected 13 other Nigerian athletes. These incidents, compounded by what Ofili described as years of neglect, prompted her to express her grievances to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), as reported by X user @kayraynor.
The sprinter, who holds the Nigerian record in the 200m with a personal best of 21.96s and recently set a world record of 15.85s in the 150m at the Adidas Atlanta City Games, is seen as one of the brightest prospects in women’s sprinting. According to a report by Pulse Sports Nigeria, Ofili is set to receive a base payment of $500,000 from Turkey, with the potential to earn up to $1,000,000 if the transfer is fully completed. Turkey has been actively recruiting top international athletes, particularly from countries with less supportive federations, as part of a strategy to bolster its athletics programme ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
The timing of Ofili’s switch is particularly poignant, as the AFN leadership, widely criticised for its inefficiencies, was re-elected in June 2025, dashing hopes for immediate reform. Social media reactions on X reflect the disappointment and frustration among Nigerian fans. User @AfamDeluxo wrote, “I’m seeing reports that Favour Ofili has switched allegiance to Turkey and honestly, I couldn’t be happier for her. Nigeria continues to lose elite talents because the system is broken beyond repair.” Another user, @NigeriaStories, highlighted the systemic issues, noting that Ofili’s exclusion from the Paris 2024 100m was due to the AFN and NOC’s failure to enter her name despite her qualification.
Ofili’s move is part of a broader trend of athletes switching allegiances due to better opportunities abroad. Jamaica has also seen prominent athletes, including Olympic discus champion Roje Stona and shot put bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell, transfer to Turkey, each reportedly receiving $500,000 signing bonuses. Under World Athletics regulations, athletes switching nationalities face a mandatory three-year waiting period before competing in major international competitions, unless both countries and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) agree to waive it. This means Ofili may not represent Turkey at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo or the LA 2028 Olympics unless an exemption is granted.
Nigeria’s athletics scene has been plagued by systemic issues, including inadequate funding, poor coaching infrastructure, and administrative incompetence. A 2025 report by Independent Nigeria noted that despite Nigeria’s population of over 200 million, the country failed to secure any medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, while smaller nations like Jamaica and Kenya excelled. The report called for comprehensive youth sports programmes and better facilities to nurture Nigeria’s abundant talent. Ofili’s departure underscores the urgency of these reforms if Nigeria hopes to retain its promising athletes.
As Favour Ofili prepares to don Turkey’s red and white colours, her exit is a stark reminder of the cost of systemic failure. While she is poised to thrive on the international stage, Nigeria must confront the challenges within its athletics federation to prevent further losses of its brightest stars.
