The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has expressed shock and heartbreak following reports that top sprinter Favour Ofili has applied to switch her sporting nationality to Turkey, less than three months before the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
AFN President, Chief Tonobok Okowa, said the federation learned of the development through the media and has yet to receive any official communication from either the athlete or World Athletics.
“If this is true, it is sad, disheartening, and painful,” Okowa told reporters in Abuja on Sunday.
“We have not received any formal request or correspondence.
She is a promising athlete with huge potential.”
The news of Ofili’s reported switch first surfaced on Saturday night through Jamaica-based journalist Kayon Raynor, who posted on social media that the 22-year-old sprinter had officially switched allegiance as of May 31, 2025.
Raynor stated that Ofili informed the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) that she had become disillusioned with the Nigerian sporting authorities over missed Olympic opportunities.
“Ofili stated that the Nigerian Athletics Federation caused her to miss the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to an incomplete doping documentation process and then failed to register her for the 100m at the Paris 2024 Games,” Raynor posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Reacting to the claims, Okowa clarified that the Tokyo 2020 incident occurred before his administration took over and insisted that the current AFN has made significant improvements.
“The preparations for Tokyo 2020 were concluded by the previous board and the Sports Ministry.
Under my leadership, the AFN funded 60 per cent of the doping tests before the Paris Games. We’ve done everything to support our athletes,” he said.
Despite the disappointment, the AFN has vowed not to stand in Ofili’s way if she chooses to pursue her career elsewhere.
“She is old enough to make her own decisions. While it’s hard to take, we won’t oppose her.
“She is still our child, sister, and daughter,” Okowa said.
“We want to apologise to Nigerians and the international athletics community for this heartbreaking development.”
AFN officials noted that efforts to reconnect with Ofili had failed, and her recent behavior pointed to a growing distance from the federation.
“On several occasions she shunned national trials or picked events selectively,” the federation stated.
“At the 2024 African Championships in Cameroon, she withdrew from the 100m after the heats, citing poor competition conditions. She also missed the African Games in Accra.”
Despite her grievances, World Athletics rules require a three-year waiting period for athletes who have recently represented a country at the Olympics. Ofili, who won silver in the 200m at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and holds Nigeria’s national 200m record of 21.96s, remains listed under Nigeria for now.
Her reported move comes amid a trend of top athletes switching allegiance to Turkey.
Jamaican shot put bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell and discus thrower Roje Stona have also reportedly made similar moves.
“We acknowledge our shortcomings as a federation, but we’re working hard to build trust and progress with our athletes,” Okowa added.
“We wish Favour Ofili well in whatever path she chooses.”