Nigerian sprint star and 150m world record holder Favour Ofili has reportedly initiated a switch in sporting nationality to Turkey, just three months before the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The development, which has sparked significant reaction within the global athletics community, was first reported by Jamaica-based sports journalist Kayon Raynor.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Raynor wrote, “Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili has switched allegiance to Turkey as of May 31, 2025.”
The journalist cited sources from the TVJ News Centre, revealing that the 22-year-old sprinter had informed the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of her decision, citing prolonged administrative frustrations with the Nigerian Athletics Federation (NAF).
According to the report, Ofili’s discontent stems from previous lapses in management that impacted her ability to participate in major competitions.
In a statement relayed by Raynor, Ofili said she missed the Tokyo 2020 Olympics because the Nigerian Athletics Federation failed to confirm her required number of doping control tests, leading to her disqualification.
She faced another setback during the Paris 2024 Olympics when she was left out of the 100m entry list due to an administrative oversight. Though she competed in the 200m event, she narrowly missed the podium, finishing sixth in the final.
The sprinter, known for her explosive speed and versatility across multiple sprint distances, reportedly emphasized to the AIU that her decision was not financially driven. “It’s further understood that Ofili impressed upon the AIU that her switch to Turkey was not for financial reasons,” Raynor stated.
While the Turkish Athletics Federation has not yet issued an official statement, the news has raised questions about Ofili’s eligibility for the upcoming World Championships, scheduled to take place from September 13 to 21 in Tokyo.
As of June 23, World Athletics still lists Ofili as representing Nigeria, and she remains one of the qualified athletes for the global event.
Under World Athletics regulations, a switch in allegiance typically requires a waiting period of three years unless both federations agree to waive or shorten the duration.
With the clock ticking before the Tokyo World Championships, it remains to be seen whether Ofili will be able to represent Turkey this year or will have to wait until a later competition.
In May, Ofili cemented her status as one of the fastest women on the planet when she set a new world record in the rarely contested 150m.
Competing at the Adidas Atlanta City Games, she clocked a sensational 15.85 seconds, smashing the previous mark of 16.23 seconds held by Bahamian Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo.
Ofili’s departure would mark another high-profile loss for Nigeria’s athletics program, which has in recent years struggled with issues ranging from poor administration to athlete dissatisfaction.
The latest development underscores growing concerns about governance and athlete management within the NAF, as more top-tier Nigerian athletes seek better support abroad.
As fans await official confirmation from World Athletics and the respective federations, one thing is certain: Favour Ofili’s next race will be watched more closely than ever.
