The National Sports Commission (NSC) has dismissed rumours that Nigerian sprint star Favour Ofili has switched her allegiance to Turkey, saying she remains firmly committed to representing Nigeria.
At a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, June 25, held ahead of the Confederation of African Athletics U-18 and U-20 Championships, NSC Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade set the record straight.
“Favour Ofili is still representing Nigeria. She wrote to the NSC two months ago, reaffirming her commitment to compete for Nigeria. When I resumed as DG of NSC I called her personally and she confirmed her allegiance to Nigeria,” Olopade said.
Olopade, who also chairs the Local Organising Committee for the event, added that Ofili is one of 69 athletes who received financial grants from the commission in April 2025.
“There has been no official communication from any international federation or national body indicating that she has switched allegiance. As far as the NSC is concerned, she remains a Nigerian athlete,” he stated.
The clarification comes after reports surfaced claiming Ofili was considering a nationality switch to Turkey. The speculation sparked concern among Nigerian athletics fans, given her status as a national champion, international medalist, and world record holder in the women’s 150m.
Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) president Tonobok Okowa previously expressed his concern, saying the federation had let Ofili down in the past, despite making efforts to retain her.
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“If this is true, it is sad, disheartening and painful,” Okowa said.
“But we are yet to get any official statement from her or from World Athletics on her request. She is old enough to decide what’s best for her but it is painful and hard to take for us.”
If Ofili were to change her allegiance, World Athletics rules would require her to wait three years before she could compete internationally for another country. She last ran for Nigeria at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Over the years, several top Nigerian athletes have represented other nations, including Francis Obikwelu (Portugal), Gloria Alozie (Spain), Florence Ekpo-Umoh (Germany), Femi Ogunode (Qatar), and Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain).
Meanwhile, Turkey’s athletics federation has come under scrutiny for allegedly recruiting foreign-born athletes with financial incentives, a trend raising concerns among countries like Nigeria about talent drain.
Despite the speculation, World Athletics still officially lists Ofili as a Nigerian athlete.
She is expected to be part of Nigeria’s team at the upcoming 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, scheduled for September 13 to 21.