Olympic sprinter Favour Ofili has officially confirmed her decision to switch allegiance from Nigeria to Turkey, putting an end to months of speculation about her future.
In a post shared on her social media, the Port Harcourt-born athlete described the move as “a whirlwind of new experiences and big decisions,” making it clear that her choice was driven by passion, not money.
Ofili took a moment to look back on her journey with Nigeria, where she collected six gold medals, two silver, two bronze, and reached the 200m final at the Olympics. “I am proud to have represented Nigeria in such a successful way,” she said, thanking fans for their support throughout her career.
Her decision comes after repeated setbacks that kept her from competing at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games. She explained that missed notifications around drug-testing rules affected her Tokyo run, while administrative issues cost her a spot in the 100m event at Paris.
Despite those frustrations, she insisted her choice was heartfelt: “This change comes from the heart, not financial motives. I’m truly grateful to have found a new home in Turkey.”
The 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist now joins a list of top Nigerian athletes who have represented other nations, such as Gloria Alozie, Francis Obikwelu, and Femi Ogunode.
While Ofili will miss the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo as she completes her transition, she says she is excited for what lies ahead in Turkish colours and thankful for the support of her coach, agent, Adidas, and her loved ones during this new chapter.
