Favour Ofili’s Shocking Move to Turkey: A Sprint Star’s Break from Nigeria Amid AFN Fallout
Favour Ofili Joins Turkey Amid Fallout with Nigeria’s Athletics Body
Nigerian sprint icon Favour Ofili has taken the global athletics community by storm with her recent decision to switch allegiance to Turkey — a bold move announced on May 31, 2025, that stems from deep-seated frustration with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
This development follows a stellar season for the 22-year-old, who clocked 11.18 seconds — a season’s best — in the 100m at the 2024 NYC Grand Prix despite a strong headwind, outpacing legends like Elaine Thompson-Herah. Just weeks earlier, she made headlines with a blistering 15.85s in the 150m at the Adidas Atlanta City Games, breaking the women’s world best.
Why Did Favour Ofili Switch Allegiance?
According to renowned Jamaican sports journalist Kayon Raynor, Ofili’s decision was not financially motivated, unlike many other recent nationality switches. Instead, it was driven by her dissatisfaction with the AFN’s negligence. Ofili claims the federation:
- Caused her to miss the Tokyo 2020 Olympics by failing to confirm her doping control tests.
- Prevented her from competing in the 100m at Paris 2024, despite being eligible.
She eventually finished 6th in the 200m final at the Paris Games, but the missed opportunity in the 100m still haunts her trajectory.
“This isn’t about money. It’s about respect, opportunity, and structure,” insiders close to Ofili reportedly said.
Not Just Another Name on the List
While some athletes are switching to Turkey in exchange for lucrative packages — such as $500,000 signing bonuses, monthly stipends, and medal-based rewards — Ofili’s move reflects a deeper issue of governance failure. Her personal bests of 10.93s (100m) and 21.96s (200m) are not only Nigerian national records but also rank her among the fastest African women ever.
Her 21.96s at the 2022 Tom Jones Invitational in Florida set an NCAA and Nigerian record, while her 10.93s at a Louisiana meet made her the first NCAA female athlete to break the 11-second barrier in outdoor competition.
A Growing Exodus from AFN and Other Federations
Ofili now joins a wave of global athletes — including Jamaican medalists Rajindra Campbell and Roje Stona — who’ve recently switched allegiances to Turkey. Many cite similar grievances: inadequate support, inconsistent governance, and limited opportunities back home.
Favour Ofili
A 2021 World Athletics report even linked AFN mismanagement to a 30% decline in Nigerian athletes’ performance on the global stage.
As athlete nationalism gives way to professional autonomy, Ofili’s switch may be a catalyst for further exodus unless urgent reforms are made.
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