In a major blow to Nigerian athletics, star sprinter and 150m world record holder Favour Ofili has officially announced her decision to switch her national allegiance to Turkey.
The 22-year-old athlete confirmed the move on her Instagram account, stating that her decision was motivated by what she described as negligence from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).
Ofili, who broke the world record for the women’s 150m, had previously been a key figure in Nigerian athletics. However, she claims the federations’ handling of the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games left her deeply disappointed.
“Wrapping up my 2025 season has been a whirlwind of new experiences and big decisions,” she wrote on Instagram. “Racing back-to-back across amazing cities and learning from the best has been incredible.”
The announcement comes nearly three months after rumors of her switch first surfaced and follows the AFN’s recent announcement of Nigeria’s team for the 2025 World Athletics Championships. Ofili’s departure is a significant loss for Nigeria, and her move to Turkey will undoubtedly spark a wider conversation about athlete welfare and support within the country’s sports administration.
