The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has officially confirmed that it will not prevent Favour Tobi Ofili from switching her sporting nationality to Turkey. Ofili’s decision comes after expressing deep frustrations with the Nigerian athletics system, marking her as the latest in a growing group of Nigerian athletes who have chosen to represent Turkey on the international stage.
Favour Ofili joins a wave of athletes, including Toje Stona and Rajindra Campbell, who have recently changed allegiance to Turkey, seeking better training environments, support, and competitive opportunities. This trend signals a significant challenge for Nigerian athletics, which has struggled to retain some of its top talents amid administrative and infrastructural issues.
In a statement, the AFN acknowledged the athlete’s right to make career decisions but emphasised the need to address the underlying causes pushing athletes away. “We won’t stop Ofili from switching nationality,” the federation said, signalling a reluctant acceptance of the situation while hinting at systemic problems that need urgent attention.
Nigerians Vent Frustrations Over Governance as Favour Ofili Joins Turkey
This development has sparked widespread debate among sports fans and experts, who worry about the long-term impact on Nigeria’s athletics prospects. The loss of athletes like Favour Ofili not only weakens Nigeria’s competitive edge but also raises questions about the federation’s ability to nurture and support its talent pool effectively.
BREAKING NEWS: We won’t stop Ofili from switching nationality. ~ Athletics Federation of Nigeria
Referring to a post on Nigerian Stories on X formerly Twitter, a fan tweeted;
As if that power lies In their hands. They don’t have it anyway and it’s not as if they can stop it. Bad leaders.
You don’t even have the power to stop her. I’m mad at her for not switching earlier. Another one added.
Moreover, the fans cite corruption as the main issue.
“This is about Nigeria’s broader sports governance crisis. If the AFN truly wants to keep its stars, it must build trust, provide support, &stop treating athletes like afterthoughts. Letting her go without a fight is easy. Fixing the system so the next Ofili stays? That’s leadership,” a fan tweeted on X.
Athletics insiders suggest that Nigeria must urgently reform its management and athlete welfare programs to stem the tide of defections. Without meaningful changes, more athletes may follow Favour Ofili’s path, further depleting the country’s pool of elite performers.
As Nigeria grapples with this talent drain, Turkey continues to benefit from the influx of skilled runners, boosting its presence in international competitions. The situation underscores the growing globalisation of athletics, where athletes increasingly seek environments that best support their ambitions.
Favour Ofili’s Surprising Switch in Athletic Allegiance Raises Eyebrows
For now, the AFN’s stance reflects a pragmatic approach, but the federation faces mounting pressure to improve conditions if it hopes to keep future stars from looking elsewhere. The athletics community will be watching closely as this story unfolds, hoping for solutions that can restore Nigeria’s prominence on the world stage.