Why I Switched Allegiance From Nigeria to Turkey – Favour Ofili

Nigerian sprinter, Favour Ofili, has explained why she decided to switch allegiance to Turkey, ending years of representing Nigeria on the international stage.

In a statement shared on her Instagram page on Monday, Ofili revealed that her decision was the result of months of reflection after a turbulent cycle marred by neglect and disappointment from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigerian Olympic Committee.

“Wrapping up my 2025 season has been a whirlwind of new experiences and big decisions. As some of you have heard, I’m also starting a new chapter representing Turkey,” she wrote.

Ofili, who has won six gold, two silver, and two bronze medals for Nigeria, said the lack of institutional support during major competitions such as the Tokyo and Paris Olympics pushed her to seek a fresh start. She, however, stressed that the move was not motivated by money.

“This change comes from the heart, not from financial motives,” she noted, while thanking her coach, agent, sponsors, and loved ones for their support.

Her announcement comes after AFN president, Tonobok Okowa, admitted that the federation was struggling to prevent the mass exit of athletes due to poor funding. He warned that unless Nigeria invests more in athletics, more stars could follow Ofili’s path.

Countries like Turkey, Okowa added, have intensified efforts to recruit foreign talent with attractive incentives, a situation Nigeria has failed to counter.

Ofili now joins the list of high-profile Nigerian athletes, including Francis Obikwelu, Gloria Alozie, and Femi Ogunode, who switched national allegiance to pursue better opportunities abroad. She will sit out the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo before officially competing in Turkish colours.