Nigeria’s athletics scene took a significant hit as the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) President, Tonobok Okowa, officially confirmed that rising star Favour Ofili will no longer represent Nigeria internationally. The talented sprinter has switched her sporting nationality to Turkey, a move driven largely by financial incentives.
At a press briefing following the Nigerian Championships and Trials at Yabatech, Okowa revealed that while Ofili remains listed as Nigerian on the World Athletics website for now, her allegiance change is imminent. “Favour Ofili has been taken by the Turkish Federation,” Okowa said with visible emotion.
The decision highlights a growing challenge for Nigerian athletics: the lure of lucrative offers from foreign federations. Okowa pointed out, “The kind of money Turkey puts on the table is not something many athletes can easily turn down.” Industry reports suggest Turkey offers upwards of $500,000 to elite athletes who agree to switch nationality — a tempting proposition for any competitor.
With concerns rising that other Nigerian athletes may soon follow Ofili’s path, Okowa appealed urgently to both government agencies and private sector sponsors. “We’re pleading for more support. The government cannot carry this burden alone. We need sponsors to help keep our talents at home,” he emphasized.
Despite this setback, Okowa remains hopeful about the future of Nigerian sprinting, praising the new generation of male sprinters making waves in the NCAA circuit overseas. “Our boys have truly come of age, winning competitions and reaching peak form. The question remains: how do we keep them representing Nigeria?”
The move by Ofili is not isolated. Back in June, it emerged that she, along with four top Jamaican athletes, agreed to compete for Turkey in a bid to strengthen the country’s medal chances at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
With her nationality switch now official, Ofili will miss the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo this September due to World Athletics’ mandatory three-year waiting period for athletes changing national allegiance.
As Nigeria grapples with the reality of losing one of its brightest talents, the focus now turns to how the country can better support and retain its athletes amid fierce international competition.
