Nigerian sprinter and 150m world record holder, Favour Ofili, has reportedly switched her sporting nationality to Turkey, just three months before the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The development was first reported by Jamaica-based journalist Kayon Raynor, who stated that Ofili completed the switch as of May 31, 2025. According to Raynor, the 22-year-old has communicated her frustrations with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to the Athletics Integrity Unit, citing recurring administrative lapses that have affected her career.
Ofili reportedly referenced two major setbacks in her communication with the AIU — missing out on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games due to the federation’s failure to confirm her doping control tests, and being left out of the 100m event at the Paris Olympics despite qualifying. At the Paris Games, she competed only in the 200m, finishing sixth in the final.
Raynor added that Ofili stressed her decision to represent Turkey was not financially motivated, despite widespread speculation. Turkey has reportedly been actively recruiting athletes from other nations, including Jamaica, and is said to offer up to $500,000 to athletes willing to switch allegiance.
Meanwhile, World Athletics still lists Ofili as a Nigerian athlete on its website. The 22-year-old remains one of Nigeria’s qualified athletes for the upcoming World Championships scheduled for September 13–21 in Tokyo.
Ofili made history in May at the Adidas Atlanta City Games by setting a new world record in the 150m, clocking 15.85 seconds to break the previous mark held by Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo.
The news of her reported switch has drawn widespread attention, with the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Tonobok Okowa, expressing shock and disappointment. In a statement, Okowa admitted the federation had failed Ofili on several occasions but noted that there had been efforts this year to support her, including the disbursement of a training grant.
“If this is true, it is sad, disheartening and painful, but we are yet to get any official statement from her or any correspondence from World Athletics on her request,” Okowa said. “She is a promising athlete with huge potential. She is old enough to decide what is best for her, but it is painful and hard to take. However, we will not stop her. She is still our child, sister and daughter.”
Nigeria has a long history of losing top athletic talents to other nations due to administrative failings. Athletes such as Francis Obikwelu (Portugal), Gloria Alozie (Spain), Florence Ekpo-Umoh (Germany), Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain), and Femi Ogunode (Qatar) all began their careers representing Nigeria before switching national allegiance and achieving success internationally.
Ofili’s switch, if officially confirmed by World Athletics, will be another significant loss for Nigeria as the country prepares for the World Championships.Tools