AFN reacts with shock as Favour Ofili allegedly switches allegiance to Turkey

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has expressed deep shock and disappointment following widespread reports that one of the country’s most celebrated sprinters, Favour Ofili, has allegedly switched her sporting nationality to Turkey.

The news, which broke late Saturday through Jamaica-based sports journalist Kayon Raynor, has left the Nigerian athletics community reeling.

Raynor, via his verified X handle, reported that Ofili had formally switched allegiance to Turkey as of May 31, 2025, citing frustrations with the Nigerian Athletics Federation.

According to the report, the 22-year-old sprinter notified the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of her decision, outlining grievances including her omission from key Olympic events.

Ofili reportedly blamed Nigerian officials for her failure to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to unconfirmed doping tests, and again for missing the 100m event at the Paris 2024 Games due to registration failures by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).

In a swift reaction on Sunday, AFN President, Chief Tonobok Okowa, said the federation was blindsided by the development and had yet to receive official communication from either Ofili or World Athletics confirming the switch.

“We were shocked like every other Nigerian,” Okowa said. “If this is true, it is sad, disheartening and painful. Favour is a promising athlete with immense potential, and this move, if confirmed, is a huge loss.”

The AFN president also revealed that the Federation, in collaboration with the National Sports Commission, had disbursed a training grant to Ofili earlier this year as part of efforts to support her preparations for upcoming competitions.

“Despite efforts to reach her, she has remained unavailable.

“It’s become clear that she had been planning this move for some time,” Okowa said, adding that Ofili had grown distant since her exclusion from the 100m lineup for the Paris Olympics, a snub that reportedly angered the athlete.

“She is an adult and entitled to her choices,” Okowa continued. “But this is heartbreaking. She’s still our child, our sister, and we can only wish her well.”

He further clarified that the 2020 Olympic mishap took place under the previous AFN administration and the sports ministry.

“That issue did not happen under our watch. Since we came in, we’ve worked hard to clean up the system.

“We personally funded 60 percent of the pre-Paris Games drug tests. We’ve done our best,” he said.

Despite the setback, Okowa reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to rebuilding trust with athletes and improving conditions across the board.

Ofili, who won silver in the 200m at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and holds Nigeria’s national 200m record with a time of 21.96s, has in recent times drawn criticism from AFN insiders for perceived uncooperative behavior.

“She has been difficult to manage,” a Federation official who pleaded anonymity said.

“She has skipped trials, refused to compete in events she didn’t prefer, and even withdrew from the 100m final at the African Championships in Cameroon, citing poor conditions.”

Her absence was also notable at the recent African Games in Accra, Ghana, where she failed to show up despite expectations.

Still, the AFN insists it will not stand in the way of her decision.

“We are heartbroken, but we respect her wishes. Our job is to support talent, whether they stay or go,” the Federation said.

World Athletics, as of Sunday, still lists Ofili as a Nigerian athlete.

If her last representation for Nigeria was at the Paris Olympics, international rules stipulate a three-year waiting period before she can compete for another country—unless the originating country waives the delay.

Ofili now joins a growing list of African and Caribbean athletes being courted by the Turkish Athletics Federation, which has recently welcomed Jamaican throwers Rajindra Campbell and Roje Stona into its fold.

As the global athletics community processes the implications of Ofili’s reported switch, the AFN has issued a formal apology to Nigerian fans, the National Sports Commission, and supporters around the world.

“We are sorry for this heartbreak,” Okowa concluded. “It’s a sad day for Nigerian athletics.”

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