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Favour ofili’s Bold Leap to Turkey’s Track.
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Record-Breaking Momentum Meets Fresh Support.
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Nigeria’s Talent Exodus: What It Means for Athletics.
Also Read: Favour Ofili Reflects on 200m Success Amidst 100m Setback
With just three months to go before the 2025 World Athletics Championships, favour ofili officially moved from Nigeria to compete for Turkey.
She smashed the 150m world record (15.85s) in May, and this September she’ll wear Turkey’s colors in Tokyo.
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Moreover, journalist Kayon Raynor says Ofili told the Athletics Integrity Unit she quit because she was disappointed by the Nigeria Olympic Committee and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
She missed the Tokyo 2020 Games after they failed to submit her doping-test paperwork.
Despite her qualifying, they did not include her on the 100-meter roster for Paris 2024.
Therefore, favour ofili stressed that money wasn’t her motive.
She told the AIU she simply wanted fair treatment and reliable support.
She is still listed as a Nigerian athlete by World Athletics, though.
As the World Championships run from September 13 to 21, her new status should pop up on the official entry lists any day now.
Nigeria has already seen stars like Francis Obikwelu (Portugal), Gloria Alozie (Spain), and Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain) walk away for similar reasons.
Also Read: Favour Ofili Withdraws from Olympic 100m: Here’s Why
These exits shine a light on bigger issues with how Nigerian athletics is managed and funded.
On the flip side, Turkey has been actively recruiting sprinters—offering up to $500,000 for athletes to switch nationality.
Ofili’s move follows this growing trend of runners chasing stable backing abroad.
With her record-breaking form still on display, she looks poised to fight for medals in Tokyo.
Her results will show if changing her flag can push her to even greater heights.
What are your thoughts?
Has Nigeria done enough to keep its stars?
Is it fair for athletes to seek better opportunities overseas?
Let us know in the comments!
