Favour Ofili, Nigeria’s 150m world record holder, has reportedly transferred her sporting allegiance to Turkey, just three months ahead of the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, according to PUNCH Online.
The news was first shared by Jamaica-based journalist Kayon Raynor.
“Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili has switched allegiance to Turkey as of May 31, 2025. According to impeccable TVJ News centre sources, 22-year-old Ofili has advised the Athletics Integrity Unit of her frustration with the Nigerian Athletics Federation,” Raynor posted via X.
He noted that Ofili referenced her absence from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, as well as the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and the Nigeria Olympic Committee’s failure to enter her in the 100m event at the most recent Games in Paris.
“Ofili stated that the Nigerian Athletics Federation caused her to miss the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after they did not confirm her number of doping control tests, and then missed competing in the 100m at the Paris Olympics after they did not enter her for the event. She was sixth in the 200m final.
“It’s further understood that Ofili was impressed upon the AIU and that her switch to Turkey was not for financial reasons.”
READ ALSO: Olympics: Nigeria’s Favour Ofili Finishes 6th; US Gabby Thomas Wins Women’s 200m Gold
PUNCH Online reached out to both Favour Ofili and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), but as of the time this report was filed, neither had responded.
Meanwhile, World Athletics continues to list Ofili as a Nigerian athlete on its official profile.
The 22-year-old sprinter is among the Nigerian athletes who have qualified for the World Championships, scheduled to take place in Tokyo from September 13 to 21.
In May, Ofili made headlines at the Adidas Atlanta City Games by setting a new world record in the 150m, clocking an astonishing 15.85 seconds to eclipse the previous mark of 16.23 seconds held by Olympic gold medalist Shaunae Miller-Uibo.
Reports indicate that the Turkish athletics federation has been aggressively recruiting foreign talent this year—including Jamaican athletes—offering up to $500,000 to those willing to switch national allegiance.
Due to longstanding administrative shortcomings, Nigeria has seen a number of its top athletes defect to other countries over the years.
Notable examples include Francis Obikwelu (Portugal), Gloria Alozie (Spain), Florence Ekpo-Umoh (Germany), Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain), and Femi Ogunode (Qatar), many of whom went on to achieve global success under new flags.
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