Favour Ofili, the world record holder in the women’s 150m, has accused the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and the Nigeria Olympic Committee of incompetence during the Tokyo 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, citing disappointments as the reason for her move to Turkey.
Ofili’s confirmation of her nationality change comes nearly three months after it was initially reported.
The 22-year-old shocked Nigerian athletics in June with her alleged relocation, which she confirmed on Monday, a day after the AFN revealed Nigeria’s participation in the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
“Wrapping up my 2025 season has been a whirlwind of new experiences and big decisions. Racing back-to-back across amazing cities and learning from the best has been incredible,” she posted via her Instagram account.
“As some of you have heard, I’m also starting a new chapter representing Turkey. I am proud to have represented Nigeria for many years in a highly successful way, having won six gold medals, two silver medals, and two bronze medals in championship meets and having been a 200m Olympic finalist, while experiencing the biggest disappointment from AFN and NOC for their negligence towards me in two Olympics (Tokyo/Paris).
“I have made this decision. While that means sitting out this year’s championship in Tokyo, this change comes from the heart, not from financial motives. I’m truly grateful to have discovered a new home in Turkey. I’m excited for what’s ahead and grateful for all the support I got from my coach, agent, sponsor Adidas, and my loved ones during this difficult time.”
Ofili was one of ten Nigerian athletes barred from competing in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 for failing to complete competitive exams.
Her difficulties persisted in Paris, where she was also unable to register for the women’s 100-meter race.
This year, the Turkish athletics association has been looking for athletes, especially Jamaicans, and has reportedly offered up to $500,000 to foreign athletes who want to transfer allegiance to the European country.
Following administrative lapses, Nigeria has a long list of athletes who left the country for other countries and went on to excel in their careers, including Francis Obikwelu (Portugal), Gloria Alozie (Spain), Florence Ekpo-Umoh (Germany), Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain), and Femi Ogunode (Qatar), among others.
Individually, Ofili has had a successful season, making her Diamond League debut and setting a new world record in the 150m at the Adidas Atlanta City Games in May, clocking 15.85 seconds to surpass Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo’s previous mark of 16.23 seconds.
