Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili is at the centre of growing speculation over a possible nationality switch to Turkey, just months before the 2025 World Athletics Championships.
Reports circulating on social media and Turkish outlets suggest that the 22-year-old has requested to change her sporting allegiance due to dissatisfaction with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
The 22-year-old reportedly based her decision on years of frustration with Nigeria’s athletics authorities. Notably, she missed the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s (AFN) failure to meet anti-doping requirements for several athletes, including Ofili.
She also allegedly missed the 100m event at the Paris Olympics, despite being eligible, because her name was not entered by the AFN.
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Ofili, who made headlines in May for setting a 150m world best at the Adidas Atlanta City Games.
A Jamaica-based journalist claimed that sources within Turkey’s athletics set-up had confirmed Ofili’s switch, but no official confirmation has emerged from the athlete or her management.
#BreakingNews
Nigerian sprinter @FavOfili has switched allegiance to Turkey as of May 31, 2025. According to impeccable @TvjNewscentre sources, 22-year-old Ofili has advised the @aiu_athletics of her frustration with the Nigerian Athletics Federation. pic.twitter.com/Jki58PN4L8— Kayon Raynor (@kayraynor) June 22, 2025
However, as of June 22, World Athletics still lists Ofili as a Nigerian athlete.
Waiting Period Required
Under WA Rule 4.4.2, athletes who have represented one country at an international level must observe a mandatory three-year waiting period before they are eligible to compete for another nation.
Favour Ofili is still listed as a Nigerian athlete on the World Athletics website. Photo Credit: X
Ofili last represented Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympics. If she has indeed filed for a switch, she may not be eligible to represent Turkey in international competition until at least 2027—unless the World Athletics Council grants a special exemption.
As of now, there has been no official confirmation from either Ofili or the Turkish Athletics Federation. Efforts to reach the AFN for comment have also proven unsuccessful.
Not an Isolated Case
Ofili’s situation echoes past high-profile nationality switches by Nigerian athletes. Gloria Alozie famously moved to Spain in 2000 after Olympic disappointment. Francis Obikwelu defected to Portugal and won Olympic silver in Athens 2004, while Femi Ogunode claimed multiple Asian titles after switching to Bahrain.
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More recently, Annette Echikunwoke changed allegiance to the United States and won a silver medal in the hammer throw at the Paris Olympics.
Ofili’s silence has only fuelled speculation. Still, her participation for Nigeria at the upcoming 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, for which she has qualified, remains uncertain.
