Favour Ofili Chooses Turkey Over Nigeria

By Paul Onehi
Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili, the current 150m world record holder, has reportedly switched her athletic allegiance to Turkey, just three months prior to the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

According to Kayon Raynor, a Jamaica-based sports journalist, Favour Ofili’s switch to Turkey was confirmed by “impeccable” sources at TVJ News Centre, as reported on X.

Ofili reportedly cited her disappointment over missing the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and Nigeria Olympic Committee’s failure to register her for the 100m event at the Paris Olympics as reasons for switching to Turkey.

Ofili cited administrative lapses by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria as the reason for her switch, specifically their failure to confirm her doping control tests, which led to her missing the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and their omission in registering her for the 100m event at the Paris Olympics, where she did however finish sixth in the 200m final.
Ofili’s World Athletics profile still lists her as representing Nigeria, despite reports of her switching allegiance to Turkey.

Ofili’s qualification for the World Championships was secured earlier, with her impressive performance in the 200m event at the Paris Olympics, where she clocked 22.05 seconds, surpassing the automatic qualifying standard. She’ll join other Nigerian athletes, including Tobi Amusan, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Samuel Ogazi, Ella Onojuvwevwo, Tima Godbless, and Kayinsola Ajayi, in Tokyo from September 13 to 21.
Ofili set a new 150m world record at the Adidas Atlanta City Games in May, achieving a remarkable time of 15.85 seconds and surpassing Shaunae Miller-Uibo’s previous record of 16.23 seconds.

As of the time of filing this report, she has yet to react to the claim.