In yet another blow to Nigerian athletics, world 150m record holder Favour Ofili has reportedly dumped Nigeria for Turkey—a move that could reportedly earn her up to $500,000 in nationality-switch compensation and sponsorship perks.
According to Jamaica-based journalist Kayon Raynor, Ofili completed her switch to Turkey on May 31, 2025, citing deep frustration with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).
“Ofili stated that the Nigerian Athletics Federation caused her to miss the Tokyo 2020 Olympics… and then missed competing in the 100m at the Paris Olympics after they did not enter her,” Raynor wrote on X.
Ofili insists the switch wasn’t financially motivated, but Turkey has been aggressively recruiting foreign athletes this year, reportedly offering hundreds of thousands of dollars to top sprinters from across the globe, including Jamaicans.
At just 22, Ofili is among Nigeria’s top medal hopefuls for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. She recently shattered the 150m world record at the Adidas Atlanta City Games, clocking 15.85s.
If confirmed, Ofili will join a long list of elite Nigerian-born athletes—like Francis Obikwelu (Portugal), Gloria Alozie (Spain), and Femi Ogunode (Qatar)—who ditched Nigeria for countries offering better systems, recognition, and rewards.
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