Nigerian sprint sensation and 150m world record holder, Favour Ofili, has reportedly switched her sporting allegiance to Turkey, just months before the 2025 World Athletics Championships set to hold in Tokyo from September 13 to 21.
The development was first reported by Jamaica-based journalist Kayon Raynor, who disclosed on X (formerly Twitter) that the 22-year-old track star officially filed her allegiance switch on May 31, 2025.
According to TVJ News sources cited by Raynor, Ofili’s decision stems from her frustration with the Nigerian Athletics Federation (AFN) over repeated administrative failures that have negatively impacted her career at the international level.
Ofili, who made history in May by setting a new 150m world record of 15.85 seconds at the Adidas Atlanta City Games, reportedly informed the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of two major grievances:
- Missing the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to the AFN’s failure to confirm her number of doping control tests.
- Being excluded from the 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, despite qualifying, because she was not entered by the federation.
Although she ran in the 200m final at Paris and finished sixth, sources say the sprinter has grown increasingly disillusioned with the management of athletics in Nigeria.
“It’s further understood that Favour Ofili impressed upon the AIU that her switch to Turkey was not financially motivated,” Raynor noted.
As of now, World Athletics still lists Favour Ofili as a Team Nigeria athlete, and she remains one of the confirmed qualifiers for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
However, if her nationality switch is approved before the tournament, she could represent Turkey, which would be a major blow to Nigeria’s medal hopes in the women’s sprints category.
Ofili’s decision comes at a time when Nigerian athletics is already under scrutiny for inadequate athlete management and recurring governance issues.
Favour Ofili has rapidly risen as one of Nigeria’s most promising sprint talents. Her record-breaking run in May broke the previous 150m best of 16.23 seconds, held by Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo.
The LSU graduate has consistently delivered strong performances in the 100m and 200m, and her exit, if confirmed, could reignite national debates about athlete welfare, transparency, and the AFN’s leadership.
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