Ofili dumps Nigeria for Turkey over Olympic disappointments
Sprint sensation Favour Ofili has officially switched her sporting nationality from Nigeria to Turkey, citing repeated administrative failures that cost her two Olympic appearances.
In 2021, Ofili was barred from competing in the 200m event at the Tokyo Olympics after the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the National Anti-Doping Committee (NADC) failed to conduct the required tests. She was one of 14 Nigerian athletes affected by the oversight.
Top athletics journalist Kenny Raynor (@kayraynor) revealed that Ofili filed a formal complaint with the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) and began her nationality transfer process on May 31.
The final straw reportedly came after the AFN and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) failed to enter her name for the Paris 2024 Games, despite her meeting the qualifying standard in the 100m.
Sources close to the sprinter say her decision was the result of years of frustration with the country’s sports administration and a perceived lack of accountability.
Matters worsened in June 2025 when the same AFN leadership blamed for past failings was re-elected, further deepening Ofili’s disillusionment.
Her move to Turkey is expected to be a major setback for Nigeria’s athletics ambitions, especially with Paris 2024 on the horizon.
Ofili, a standout performer at Louisiana State University (LSU), had been widely tipped as a medal contender in the sprint events.
