Favour Ofili Jets Out — Relocates to Turkey After Years of Disappointment

In a move that has sent ripples through Nigerian athletics, sprint sensation Favour Ofili has officially switched her international allegiance to Turkey. The 22-year-old confirmed the transition on September 1, 2025, through an emotional social media post, confirming rumors that had been swirling for months. Reflecting on her decision, Ofili shared: > “Wrapping up my 2025 season has been a whirlwind of new experiences and big decisions. … I’m also starting a new chapter representing Turkey. … While that means sitting out this year’s championships in Tokyo, this change comes from the heart, not from financial motives. … I’m truly grateful to have discovered a new home in Turkey, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.” Despite her impressive track record—six gold medals, two silver, two bronze in championship meets, and reaching the Olympic 200m final—Ofili revealed that repeated administrative failures by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) left her disillusioned. Missing qualification for the 100m in Paris 2024 and being excluded from Tokyo 2020 due to poorly managed anti-doping protocols were the tipping points. AFN President Tonobok Okowa publicly expressed shock and pain, stating that while the federation felt betrayed, they would not stand in her way. He acknowledged the federation’s failings but reaffirmed her as their “child and sister.” Now, listed on the global stage as competing for Turkey, Ofili’s switch echoes earlier losses of Nigerian talents like Francis Obikwelu and Gloria Alozie—athletes who left due to similar frustrations. World Athletics rules mandate a three-year waiting period before representing a new country, but a possible exemption may be granted under exceptional circumstances tied to federation failures. This move lifts the curtain on a critical issue in Nigeria’s sporting ecosystem: the urgent need for reform, from funding gaps to athlete management. Favour Ofili, once Nigeria’s brightest sprint star, is now Turkey’s gain—and Nigeria’s considerable loss.