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The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tonobok Okowa, has confirmed that United States-based Nigerian sprinter, Favour Ofili, has switched her international allegiance to Turkey.
Naija News reports that Favour Ofili’s switch comes just months before the 2025 World Athletics Championships, scheduled to be held in Tokyo, Japan, from 13 to 21 September.
During a press briefing at the 2025 National Athletics Championships held at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Okowa described the development as a major setback for Nigeria and attributed the decision to inadequate financial support for athletes.
“I can tell you that most of our elite athletes are already being approached by other countries to change their nationality and allegiance,” he said. “And as we speak, Favour Ofili has been taken by the Turkish Federation.”
Although Ofili’s name still appears under Nigeria on the World Athletics website, sources within the federation, according to Punch, say the switch is already in motion, with official confirmation expected soon.
Okowa noted that financial inducements played a major role in Ofili’s decision. “The kind of money they put on the table to get her is not something many athletes would refuse,” he said.
“That is why we are pleading with Nigeria as a nation and our government to come out and support us, so we don’t keep losing our athletes.”
Reports indicate that Turkey is offering up to $500,000 to elite athletes who are willing to change nationality, as part of its aggressive recruitment strategy ahead of major global competitions.
The AFN president said the trend is not new, citing the cases of Francis Obikwelu, Gloria Alozie, and Femi Ogunode, who left Nigeria to represent Portugal, Spain, and Qatar respectively.
Okowa emphasised that inadequate funding remains the biggest challenge facing Nigerian athletics. He called on the federal government and private sector sponsors to invest in the welfare and development of local athletes.
“We need more sponsors to come on board and support the welfare of these athletes,” he said. “That is our most urgent issue. The government cannot do it alone.”
Despite the setback, Okowa expressed satisfaction with the performance of athletes at the national championship, particularly in the men’s 100 metres event.
“Our boys have come of age and they are performing well. They are in shape now,” he said. “When they went to Oregon, many questions were raised because they had just moved to the US. But now, they are excelling in the NCAA system and winning events. So we must ask ourselves, what are we doing to keep them?”
The post Favour Ofili Switches Allegiance To Turkey – AFN President Confirms appeared first on Naija News.
