Olympic Sprinter Favour Ofili Switches Allegiance from Nigeria to Turkey
Olympic sprinter Favour Ofili has officially confirmed her decision to change her sporting allegiance from Nigeria to Turkey, marking a significant shift for Nigerian athletics.
The 21-year-old, widely regarded as one of the brightest sprint prospects of her generation, announced the move at the close of her 2025 season. “Wrapping up my 2025 season has been a whirlwind of new experiences and big decisions,” Ofili wrote. “As some of you have heard, I’m also starting a new chapter representing Turkey.”
Favour Ofili holds Nigeria’s 200m national record with a lifetime best of 21.96 seconds, making her the only Nigerian woman to run under 22 seconds in the event.
Representing Nigeria, she competed on major international stages including the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires (2019), World Championships in Doha (2019) and Budapest (2023), the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. She also showcased her talent at multiple African Championships, cementing her reputation as one of Nigeria’s most consistent performers.
The switch comes amid ongoing concerns about athlete welfare and support systems within Nigerian sports, with Ofili seeking better opportunities to advance her career on the global stage.
