By Ebenezer Mabinuola
Nigerian sprint star Favour Ofili has officially switched her international allegiance to Turkey, igniting debate over sports governance in Nigeria and fears of escalating talent flight.
The news broke on Sunday, June 22, 2025, though Ofili’s decision reportedly took effect May 31, following her notification to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). The 22-year-old Olympian and national record holder cited persistent administrative failures by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) as key reasons.
Ofili, born in Delta State in 2002, rose to prominence with a stellar track record: African and Nigerian 200m record holder (21.96s), 2022 Commonwealth silver medalist, and recent world 150m straight track record-setter (15.85s). She also enjoyed a decorated NCAA career at LSU.
Her grievances include being disqualified from Tokyo 2020 over faulty anti-doping documentation and omitted from the 100m lineup for Paris 2024 due to AFN/NOC errors. The re-election of the same AFN leadership in June 2025 reportedly sealed her decision.
Though reports suggest Turkey offered financial incentives, Ofili insists her decision was principle-based. The AFN, caught off guard, called the move “painful” and issued a public apology, pledging support for remaining athletes.
Under World Athletics rules, Ofili will be ineligible for international competition until 2028—missing the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
Her departure, met with fan sympathy, reflects growing dissatisfaction among elite athletes and signals systemic cracks in Nigeria’s athletics system. Analysts warn that unless urgent reforms are made, more defections may follow.
