In a development shaking the African athletics community, Nigerian sprint sensation Favour Ofili has officially initiated a switch of sporting nationality to Turkey. The 22-year-old track star, who recently clocked a world record time of 15.85 seconds in the rarely run 150m at the Adidas Atlanta City Games, cited persistent administrative failures by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) as her reason for the decision.
Sources confirm that Ofili began the official nationality change process on May 31, 2025, submitting her case to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). Her move comes on the heels of AFN’s controversial re-election of its current leadership earlier in June.
According to reports, Ofili stands to earn a base payment of $500,000, with performance-based incentives that could increase her earnings to $1 million, as part of Turkey’s aggressive talent recruitment strategy aimed at bolstering its athletics team ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Repeated Disappointments Spark Exit
This isn’t the first time Nigeria’s administrative lapses have cost Ofili a shot at glory. In 2021, she was among the 14 Nigerian athletes disqualified from competing at the Tokyo Olympics after the federation failed to conduct necessary anti-doping tests. Again in 2024, despite meeting the 100m qualifying standard for the Paris Olympics, her name was never submitted—a blunder attributed to poor coordination between the AFN and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC).
Ofili, fondly nicknamed “Star Girl”, was Nigeria’s best track performer at the Paris Games, finishing sixth in the 200m final. She is widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents in global athletics and a future Olympic and World Championships medal hopeful.
A Growing Trend: African Talent Exported
Turkey is aggressively recruiting top athletes, especially from nations where sports administration is plagued by mismanagement. Reports suggest they’re targeting up to 15 elite athletes for the 2028 Olympics, with a particular focus on building a medal-worthy women’s 4x100m relay team.
This latest development follows a growing trend where athletes from countries like Jamaica and Nigeria are turning their backs on home nations in exchange for structured support, better facilities, and financial security abroad.
A Stark Reminder for Nigerian Sports Leadership
Ofili holds Nigeria’s national record in the 200m (21.96s outdoor, 22.11s indoor), and her personal best in the 100m stands at a legal 10.93s, with wind-assisted times as low as 10.78s. Despite her achievements, she has repeatedly been let down by systemic failures.
As reactions continue to pour in from sports enthusiasts, analysts, and former athletes, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria has issued a statement expressing shock and disappointment over her exit, calling her “still our child, sister, and daughter.”
But for Ofili, the move signals more than just a flag change—it’s a personal stand against neglect, and a bold step toward a future she believes she deserves.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
