Sprinter Favour Ofili has confirmed she will now represent Turkey after years of frustration with Athletics Federation of Nigeria.
The 22-year-old, a 200m Olympic finalist and multiple African and World Championship medallist, made the announcement at the end of her 2025 season.
“Wrapping up my 2025 season has been a whirlwind of new experiences and big decisions,” Ofili wrote on Instagram. “As some of you have heard, I’m also starting a new chapter representing Turkey.
“I am proud to have represented Nigeria for many years in a highly successful way having won six gold medals, two silver medals and two bronze medals in championship meets and being a 200m Olympic finalist.
Ofili statement on Instagram.
But I also experienced the biggest disappointment from AFN and NOC for their negligence towards me in two Olympics (Tokyo and Paris). I have made this decision.”
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She added: “While that means sitting out this year’s championship in Tokyo, this change comes from the heart, not from financial motives. I’m truly grateful to have discovered a new home in Turkey.
I’m excited for what’s ahead and grateful for all the support I got from my coach, agent, sponsor Adidas and my loved ones during this difficult time.”
Ofili’s move echoes past nationality switches by Nigerian athletes. Gloria Alozie moved to Spain in 2000 after Olympic disappointment, Francis Obikwelu defected to Portugal and won Olympic silver at Athens 2004, and Femi Ogunode claimed multiple Asian titles after switching to Bahrain.
Favour Ofili. Photo Credit: Getty Images
More recently, Annette Echikunwoke changed allegiance to the United States and won a silver medal in the hammer throw at the Paris Olympics.
Ofili last represented Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Games, but her participation for Nigeria at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo for which she has qualified is uncertain.
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Under World Athletics Rule 4.4.2, athletes must serve a three-year waiting period after representing one nation before competing for another, unless the World Athletics Council grants a special exemption.
She missed the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after Nigeria failed to meet anti-doping requirements, and she was left out of the 100m entry list at Paris 2024 despite being eligible.
Ofili, who made headlines in May by setting a 150m world best at the Adidas Atlanta City Games.
