World Athletics rejects Favour Ofili’s switch to Turkey

World Athletics has rejected an application by the Türkiye Athletics Federation to transfer the allegiance of Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili.

The decision, issued on Thursday, April 16, 2026, by the Nationality Review Panel, means the 23-year-old will not be eligible to represent Turkey at major international competitions, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Communicated to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), the ruling confirms that Ofili remains eligible to compete for Nigeria.

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The panel found that the application formed part of a broader government-backed recruitment drive by Türkiye aimed at attracting overseas athletes with lucrative contracts to secure their eligibility ahead of future competitions.

“The eleven applications form part of a recruitment strategy led by the Türkiye government to recruit overseas talent by offering lucrative club-level contracts to induce transfers of allegiance,” the decision stated.

Ofili, who last represented Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympics, was granted Turkish citizenship in May 2025 following frustrations with the Nigerian athletics system.

She had previously been among several Nigerian athletes who missed the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to failures to meet mandatory anti-doping requirements, a controversy that drew global criticism.

The sprinter also cited her exclusion from the 100 metres at the Paris Games, despite reaching the 200 metres final, where she finished sixth, as further evidence of administrative lapses.

According to the panel, Ofili argued that her decision to switch allegiance was driven by disputes with Nigerian athletics authorities and concerns about her career and personal well-being.

With the rejection, she will continue her career representing Nigeria.