🇳🇬 From Port Harcourt to the Podium

Born on December 31, 2002, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Favour Chukwuka Ofili was never an average teenager. Her journey from a secondary school sprinter to one of Africa’s fastest women began in Lagos, where she honed her raw talent under coach Anne Otutu. By 17, she had already made waves at the African U18 Championships and the 2019 African Games, setting the stage for a meteoric rise.

In 2020, Ofili accepted a scholarship to Louisiana State University (LSU), and there, her story went global. Not only did she break the African indoor 200m record (22.75s), but she also became the first NCAA athlete to run sub-11s in the 100m and sub-22s in the 200m—an unprecedented feat.

🌍 Olympic Glory and Painful Oversights

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Ofili ran a season-best 22.24s to finish 6th in the women’s 200m final—a proud moment. But controversy loomed. Despite qualifying for the 100m event, she was shockingly omitted due to bureaucratic mismanagement by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC).

“I have worked for four years to earn this opportunity. For what… to not be entered?” — Favour Ofili

The backlash was swift. Athletes and fans condemned the AFN. Government investigations were launched, but for Ofili, the damage had been done.

💔 From Patriot to Expatriate

Favour Ofili: Nigerian Sprint Star’s Shock Switch to Turkey.

On May 31, 2025, Favour Ofili formally submitted a request to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) to switch allegiance to Turkey. Her reasons were clear:

• Being denied a chance to compete at Tokyo 2020 due to failed doping administration
• The 100m entry scandal at Paris 2024
• Lack of trust in Nigerian athletics administration

While the move stunned the nation, many fans offered their support, lamenting the systemic failures that continue to plague Nigerian sports.

“Nigeria doesn’t deserve you. Turkey will give you more benefits.” — Fan comment on Instagram

AFN President Tonobok Okowa expressed dismay but admitted the federation could not prevent her decision:

“She is old enough… painful and hard to take for us, however, we will not stop her.” — Okowa

🚨 What’s Next?

Ofili now faces a mandatory waiting period before she can represent Turkey at international events. However, if she proves that her switch stems from “exceptional circumstances” involving national mismanagement, her transition may be expedited.

This incident has reignited conversations about Nigeria’s failure to retain talent. Ofili now joins a growing list of top Nigerian athletes—including Francis Obikwelu, Gloria Alozie, and Salwa Eid Naser—who have chosen to represent other nations.