The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) says it has been blindsided by reports that one of its brightest sprint talents, Favour Ofili, is seeking to switch international allegiance to Turkey.
The 22-year-old, who holds Nigeria’s national 200m record and has a personal best of 10.78 seconds in the 100m, is said to have filed her nationality change request with World Athletics, according to Jamaican journalist Kayon Raynor.
Reacting to the reports, AFN President Tonobok Okowa expressed deep disappointment, describing the move as painful and “hard to take.”
“Just like millions of sports-loving Nigerians, we only got to know through the media,” Okowa said on Sunday.
“We have received no official communication from either Ofili or World Athletics.”
AFN President Tonobok Okowa. Photo Credit: X
The sprinter, who claimed silver in the 200m at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, has reportedly cited frustrations with the federation as a key reason for her decision.
These include missing out on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, due to alleged mismanagement of doping control protocols and being left out of the 100m event at the Paris 2024 Games.
Despite the disappointment, Okowa admitted the federation would not stand in her way.
“She is old enough to make her own decisions. We won’t stop her. She’s still our child, our sister. But we are heartbroken,” he added.
Favour Ofili at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Photo Credit: Getty Images
The AFN revealed that Ofili had already received her 2025 training grant and that attempts to engage her in recent months had been unsuccessful.
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Reports also indicate that Ofili skipped the 100m final at the African Championships in Cameroon, citing poor competition conditions, and was absent from the 2024 African Games in Accra.
Favour Ofili is still listed as a Nigerian athlete on the World Athletics website. Photo Credit: X
While World Athletics is yet to officially update her status, any potential switch will require a three-year waiting period, as Ofili last competed for Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Turkey has increasingly become a destination for top athletes from Africa and the Caribbean. Ofili’s move, if confirmed, would follow similar switches by Jamaica’s Rajindra Campbell and Roje Stona.
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For now, the AFN says it is left only with unanswered questions—and a heavy heart.
“Despite our flaws, we are still working hard for Nigerian athletics,” the federation said. “We wish her well, wherever she ends up.”
