Tonobok Okowa, president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, has claimed that Favour Ofili’s choice to move allegiance from Nigeria to Turkey was financially motivated, notwithstanding the athlete’s assertions.
In an interview with ESPN, Okowa revealed that the decision was communicated to them by both World Athletics and the sprinter.
“They have officially informed us. Both World Athletics and the athlete herself have officially informed us, he stated.
However, he reportedly ignored Ofili’s explanation that her move was the result of repeated carelessness by Nigerian sports administrators at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics. Instead, he said her decision was entirely economical.
“Ofili herself knows the whole truth. This is all about money. She and her coach are trying to make some money,” Okowa told ESPN.
Okowa added that he had no objection to Ofili’s personal choice but took issue with the reasons she publicly gave.
“I don’t see anything wrong with that, but as far as I am concerned, if she wants to go, it’s okay. She’s an adult, but she should stop using these reasons as her excuse,” he said.
Okowa also mentioned other athletes who have switched allegiance to Turkey in recent times.
“Okay, the Kenyans and Jamaicans that are going to Turkey, what reasons do they have? Let her go in peace. She’s an adult; she has the right to make her decision if she wants to switch allegiance or not,” he said.
Ofili stated on social media that she will now represent Turkey after years of competing for Nigeria, citing unhappiness with the AFN and the Nigeria Olympic Committee as the primary reasons for her choice.
She cited her exclusion from participation in Tokyo due to missed exams, as well as her failure to register for the women’s 100m event in Paris, as key sources of anger.
The 22-year-old, who holds the world record in the women’s 150 m, insisted that her decision was emotional rather than financial.
“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,” she said in her statement.
Her defection joins a long line of Nigerian athletes who have moved nationalities, including Francis Obikwelu, Gloria Alozie, Florence Ekpo-Umoh, Salwa Eid Naser, and Femi Ogunode, many of whom have flourished under their new flags.
