In a stunning blow to Nigerian athletics, sprint sensation Favour Ofili has reportedly switched her international allegiance to Turkey as of May 31, 2025, sources confirmed to IREPORT247NEWS.
The 22-year-old, who captured global attention with a sixth-place finish in the 200m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, cited repeated mismanagement by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) as the driving force behind her decision. The move has sparked widespread debate about the state of athletics governance in Nigeria.
According to sources, Ofili formally notified the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of her frustrations with the AFN, detailing a series of setbacks that hampered her career. Notably, the AFN’s failure to confirm her doping control tests led to her exclusion from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, a missed opportunity that deeply affected the young athlete. More recently, at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the AFN neglected to enter her for the 100m event, despite her qualification, forcing her to focus solely on the 200m. These incidents, sources say, eroded Ofili’s trust in the federation’s ability to support her ambitions.
The defection, orchestrated by the Turkish Sports Ministry rather than the Turkish Athletics Federation, includes a reported $500,000 signing fee, which will only be paid once Ofili officially competes for Turkey. This financial incentive underscores Turkey’s aggressive push to bolster its athletics program by attracting international talent.
When reached for comment, AFN President Chief Tonobok Okowa remained cautious, stating in a phone call with reporter Tobi Ajewole, “I cannot comment on the Favour Ofili reports because we are trying to confirm if it’s true. So I can’t start discussing what I’m not sure about.” His reticence has done little to quell growing criticism of the AFN’s leadership.
Ofili’s departure raises urgent questions about athlete welfare and administrative competence within Nigerian sports.
As one of the country’s brightest track stars, her exit to Turkey is a significant loss and a wake-up call for reforms to prevent further talent drain.