Nigerian sprinter and 150m world record holder Favour Ofili has reportedly switched her sporting allegiance to Turkey, just months ahead of the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
According to Jamaica-based journalist Kayon Raynor, who cited sources from TVJ News Centre, the switch took effect on May 31, 2025, and was formally communicated to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). Raynor disclosed the development in a post on his X account on Saturday.
Raynor stated that Ofili made the decision due to ongoing frustrations with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). “Ofili has advised the Athletics Integrity Unit of her frustration with the Nigerian Athletics Federation,” he wrote.
The 22-year-old reportedly embraced Turkish citizenship after repeatedly being sidelined by Nigerian sports authorities. Key among her grievances was being excluded from the 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, despite finishing sixth in the 200m final, and her absence from the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to administrative lapses by the AFN.
“She stated that the Nigerian Athletics Federation caused her to miss the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after they failed to confirm her doping control test count,” Raynor added. “She then missed out on the 100m in Paris after she wasn’t entered for the event.”
Ofili’s move adds to a growing list of high-profile Nigerian athletes who have switched allegiance, including Francis Obikwelu (Portugal), Gloria Alozie (Spain), and Femi Ogunode (Qatar).
