Lagos, June 22, 2025 – Nigerian sprint sensation and 150m world record holder, Favour Ofili, has officially initiated the process to represent Turkey in international competitions, her move reportedly effective from May 31, 2025, just months before the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Multiple reputable sources, including The Punch, Premium Times, The Guardian, and Premium Times, report that the 22-year-old sprinter informed the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of her decision, citing repeated administrative failures by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) as the catalyst for her move . Jamaican journalist Kayon Raynor, via TVJ Newscentre, revealed her frustration stemmed from being excluded from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, due to missed doping controls, and from the 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, despite competing in the 200m and finishing sixth .
While Ofili remains officially listed under Nigeria by World Athletics, this nationality switch, formally filed with the AIU, could open the way for her to compete for Turkey, pending resolution of eligibility rules . Ofili asserts that the change is not financially motivated, prioritising professional recognition and proper governance over monetary gain .
World Athletics regulations stipulate a mandatory three-year waiting period for athletes changing national allegiance. However, the AIU may grant waivers under “exceptional circumstances”, such as significant federation mismanagement, as alleged in Ofili’s case . If approved, this could clear her to debut for Turkey at the September Tokyo Championships, pending official endorsement.
Ofili’s switch underscores growing concern over how systemic issues within national sports federations, like missed registrations and administrative negligence, can drive elite athletes abroad. It also places Nigeria among nations watching talent migrate due to unmet expectations, recalling historical departures like Francis Obikwelu, Gloria Alozie, and others.
In a remarkable 150m performance at the Adidas Atlanta City Games in May, Ofili clocked a world record 15.85 seconds, shattering the previous mark, making her one of the brightest stars in global sprinting . Her potential move to Turkey thus signals both a talent drain and a test for sports diplomacy and regulatory fairness within athletics governance.
