AFN Silent as Favour Ofili Seeks Switch to Turkey

Posted : 22 June 2025

There are growing reports that Nigerian sprint sensation Favour Ofili has filed an application to switch her international allegiance to Turkey. According to sources close to the development, Ofili has formally notified the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of her intention, citing years of neglect and mistreatment by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) as her primary motivation.

Ofili's frustrations reportedly stem from multiple administrative failings. Among them is the AFN and Nigeria Anti-Doping Committee’s (NADC) failure to conduct mandatory doping tests, which led to her and 13 other Nigerian athletes missing the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. In another painful incident, the AFN and Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) failed to submit her name for the women’s 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, effectively shutting her out of one of the sport’s most prestigious events.

In her petition to the AIU, Ofili emphasized that her decision was not financially motivated, but rather the result of deep frustration and disillusionment with a system she once believed in. Her choice underscores a growing sense of betrayal among Nigerian athletes who feel unsupported despite their efforts to represent the country.

If her application is approved, Ofili will be subject to a three-year waiting period before she can represent Turkey in international competitions, as stipulated by World Athletics’ transfer of allegiance regulations. For now, no official confirmation has been released by the AFN, Turkish Athletics Federation, or World Athletics, and Ofili’s profile still lists Nigeria as her country of representation.

This development, though unconfirmed, echoes a troubling trend. If finalized, Ofili would join a growing list of Nigerian athletes switching allegiances. One notable example is Annette Nneka, who opted to represent the USA and went on to win silver in the hammer throw at the Paris 2024 Olympics—a decision that paid off after similar issues with Nigerian sports authorities.

“Favour Ofili’s only crime was believing it would get better. But once again, she was failed,” a close associate remarked. The continued silence from the AFN has only intensified criticism and speculation, as yet another promising Nigerian talent appears set to wear another country’s colors—a move that speaks volumes about the systemic failures in Nigerian athletics.

AFN Silent as Favour Ofili Seeks Switch to Turkey

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