Favour Ofili has formally initiated proceedings to change her athletic allegiance from Nigeria to Turkey, with the process beginning on May 31, 2025, according to reports.
Sources, including Jamaican sports reporter Kayon Raynor via TVJ News Centre, indicate that Ofili submitted her request to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), citing “persistent frustration” with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
A statement attributed to Ofili underscores that her decision was driven by professional concerns, not financial gain. She reportedly told the AIU that mismanagement by the AFN led to her exclusion from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics—after the federation failed to complete mandatory anti-doping protocols—and from the 100 m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, despite qualifying for the Games’ sprint finals.
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Despite achieving the qualifying standard for Paris in the 100 m, the AFN and the Nigerian Olympic Committee omitted her entry—a move that deepened her resolve to seek better administrative support.
The switch aligns with a broader trend in Turkish athletics, which has recently recruited high-profile talents—including athletes from Jamaica—with advantages that reportedly include financial packages up to $500,000.
Ofili’s decision coincided with the re-election of the current AFN leadership in June 2025, a development that has intensified scrutiny of the federation’s governance.
As of now, World Athletics continues to list Ofili under Nigeria. According to eligibility rules, she would typically observe a three-year waiting period before representing a new country, though a waiver may be possible in exceptional circumstances—particularly where administrative negligence can be demonstrated.
This move marks a significant moment in Ofili’s career and serves as a stark indicator of the ongoing issues within Nigerian athletics governance. It also underscores how global sports bodies like Turkey are capitalizing on such gaps.
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