The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has expressed shock and disappointment over the reported switch of allegiance by star sprinter, Favour Ofili, to Turkiye, just months before the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, AFN President and Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Vice President, Chief Tonobok Okowa, confirmed the Federation had no official notice from Ofili or World Athletics but had heard the news from media reports.
“If this is true, it is sad, disheartening and painful,” Okowa said. “She is one of our best athletes and we already paid her training grant for this year. But if she has made up her mind, we won’t stop her. She’s still our child and we wish her well.”
Okowa also revealed that all efforts to reach Ofili had failed, noting that she had been avoiding communication with the Federation. He said her exit appears linked to her frustration over past Olympic Games issues, particularly her omission from the 100m event in Paris and the missed Tokyo 2020 Games, which she blamed on poor handling by Nigerian officials.
However, Okowa clarified that the Tokyo mishap happened under the previous AFN board and that his administration had since improved anti-doping compliance, including sponsoring 60% of drug tests before the Paris Olympics.
Despite her potential switch, World Athletics still lists Ofili as a Nigerian. If confirmed, her change of allegiance would require a mandatory three-year waiting period before she can represent Turkiye in major competitions—unless a special waiver is granted.
The 22-year-old sprinter, who holds Nigeria’s national 200m record (21.96s) and a personal best of 10.78s in the 100m, is reportedly the latest in a growing list of top athletes being recruited by Turkiye. Jamaican athletes Rajindra Campbell and Roje Stona have recently made similar moves.
Meanwhile, the AFN said it would not oppose her decision, but noted that she had skipped multiple national trials and was often difficult to work with.
“We’ve had our challenges, but we’re doing our best for Nigerian athletics. We’re still thriving, and we remain focused on our other athletes,” Okowa said.
Ofili won silver in the 200m at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and remains one of Nigeria’s most promising athletes. Her decision, if made official, will be seen as a major loss for Team Nigeria.
