A leading Nigerian track and field athlete, is at the center of a growing controversy as she faces the possibility of not competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics 100m race due to alleged registration issues by Nigerian sports officials.
Ofili, who won a silver medal in the 200 meters at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, has expressed her frustration over what she claims is a failure by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) to properly register her for the 100 meters event.
“It is with great regret that I have just been told I will not be competing in the 100 meters at this Olympic Games,” Ofili said in a recent social media post. “I qualified, but those with the AFN and NOC failed to enter me. I have worked for 4 years to earn this opportunity. For what?”
The sprinter also referenced past issues, stating, “In the last Olympic Games, I was not able to compete because AFN, NADC, and NOC failed to release funds for athletes to be tested, which made 14 Nigerian athletes who qualified not compete. Now THIS… If those responsible are NOT held accountable for taking this opportunity from me, neither organization can EVER be trusted in the future!”
On July 28, 2024, Senator John Owan Enoh, Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, addressed Team Nigeria athletes at the Games Village in Paris. During this session, Enoh allowed athletes to voice their concerns directly, a tradition he has upheld since taking office.
Following this interaction, Enoh was alerted by Ofili about issues regarding her race registrations.
“Favour Ofili reached me directly, expressing her concerns about her races,” Enoh stated. “I immediately contacted Professor Ken Anugweje, the lead of the Ministerial Podium Performance Committee, to ensure her issues were addressed. Professor Anugweje informed me that he was in touch with the 1st Vice President of NOC, Chief Solomon Ogba, and that the matter was being handled.”
Enoh also contacted the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) after hearing of Ofili’s distress. AFN Technical Director Samuel Onikeku assured that Ofili was registered for the 100 meters, 200 meters, and the 4×100 meters relay. However, the Secretary General of AFN claimed that the final list sent to the NOC included Ofili for the 100 meters. Enoh is awaiting further clarification from the NOC President.
He has since taken steps to investigate the matter.
“He confirmed that he was in touch with the 1st Vice President of NOC, Chief Solomon Ogba, and that the matter was being handled. Upon hearing Ofili’s distress this morning, I contacted the AFN. The Technical Director, Samuel Onikeku, assured me that Ofili was registered for the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay.”
Enoh emphasised, “As Minister of Sports, I will not tolerate this utter recklessness. It is highly inexcusable, and there will be thorough sanctions after investigations into where and from whom this gross negligence originated.”
Despite these assurances, there remains confusion and frustration over the registration process.
World Athletics, the organization in charge of creating start lists, confirmed to BBC Sport Africa that Ofili is only entered in two events: the 200m and the women’s 4x100m relay.
Meanwhile, Enoh has called for the AFN and NOC to ensure that Ofili is not deprived of her opportunity to compete in the 200 meters, a race for which she is qualified and registered.
“The AFN and NOC must ensure that Favour Ofili is not deprived of competing in the races for which she is qualified. The current system must not allow for incompetence at any level.”
