The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) President, Tonobok Okowa, has confirmed that the federation will not prevent Favour Ofili, the world-record holder in the women’s 150m, from switching her nationality to Turkey. This comes despite the shock that followed the announcement of the 22-year-old’s decision.
Okowa expressed his surprise over Ofili’s reported allegiance change, stating that the federation had not yet received any official correspondence from World Athletics or Ofili herself. This revelation has sent shockwaves through the athletics community, as it comes just three months ahead of the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The news was initially broken by Jamaica-based journalist, Kayon Raynor, who reported that Ofili had informed the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of her frustrations with the Nigerian Athletics Federation. Despite these tensions, Okowa noted that the AFN had made efforts to support Ofili, including awarding her a training grant earlier this year.
“This news, if confirmed, is disappointing and painful. However, we have yet to receive an official communication from Ofili or World Athletics regarding her decision,” said Okowa. “She is an immensely talented athlete with a bright future, and we have always aimed to support her growth and development.”
He went on to express that although the federation is saddened by her decision, they will not impede her choice. “She is old enough to decide what’s best for her,” Okowa added. “We still consider her part of our family. She remains our child, sister, and daughter. We owe her an apology for this painful situation, and we also extend our apologies to the Nigerian people, the National Sports Commission, and our global supporters.”
As of now, World Athletics continues to list Ofili as a Nigerian athlete on its official profile. Ofili, who has qualified for the World Championships in Tokyo, is among several Nigerian athletes who have opted to switch allegiance to other nations in recent years.
Turkey’s Athletics Federation has been actively recruiting athletes, reportedly offering lucrative deals, including up to $500,000 for foreign athletes to switch nationalities. The Turkish program has successfully attracted athletes from countries like Jamaica and Nigeria, with several high-profile examples of athletes who have switched allegiance and gone on to international success.
Nigeria has faced similar challenges in the past, with athletes such as Francis Obikwelu (Portugal), Gloria Alozie (Spain), and Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain) switching their nationalities and excelling globally. These departures, attributed to administrative lapses, have led to a significant loss of talent for Nigeria’s athletics program.
For many Nigerians, Ofili’s potential switch to Turkey adds to a growing list of athletes who have left the country in pursuit of better opportunities, drawing attention to the challenges facing Nigeria’s athletics federation.