World Athletics Blocks Favour Ofili’s Switch from Nigeria to Turkey

World Athletics Blocks Favour Ofili’s Switch from Nigeria to Turkey

Global athletics governing body World Athletics has rejected a request by Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili to change her sporting nationality to Turkey, dealing a major setback to her plans to compete under a new flag.

The decision was disclosed by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, which said World Athletics’ Nationality Review Panel turned down the application after scrutinising the circumstances surrounding the proposed transfer.

Ofili was part of a bulk request involving 11 athletes submitted by the Turkish Athletics Federation. However, the panel raised strong concerns about what it described as a systematic recruitment drive targeting foreign athletes and facilitating rapid nationality switches.

According to the findings, such transfers appeared to be driven by largely “mercenary” motivations, with World Athletics warning that approving them could undermine the integrity of global competitions.

READ ALSO:

• Gunmen Kidnap 14 JAMB Candidates in Benue Highway Attack
• Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso Camps Clash as ADC Grapples with Leadership Dispute
• Senate Summons Kyari, Ojulari Over ₦210 Trillion NNPCL Audit Queries

The governing body also cautioned that aggressive recruitment of foreign athletes risks weakening national development systems, potentially sidelining homegrown talent in favour of imported competitors.

The 23-year-old sprinter began the process of switching allegiance in 2025 after expressing frustration with athletics administration in Nigeria. She had publicly accused officials of mismanagement and actions that hindered her career progression on the international stage.

Despite reportedly obtaining Turkish citizenship, the rejection means Ofili remains ineligible to represent Turkey in major competitions such as the Olympics and World Championships.

Ofili is one of Nigeria’s top track athletes, holding the national women’s 200m record with a time of 21.96 seconds, alongside a personal best of 10.78 seconds in the 100m, both set in 2022.

The decision underscores World Athletics’ increasingly strict stance on nationality transfers, as it seeks to preserve competitive balance and ensure that athletes maintain genuine ties to the countries they represent.

For now, Ofili’s international future remains uncertain, with questions lingering over whether she will continue to compete for Nigeria or explore other options within the rules of global athletics.

World Athletics Blocks Favour Ofili’s Switch from Nigeria to Turkey