President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN),Tonobok Okowa, has claimed that sprinter Favour Ofili’s decision to switch allegiance from Nigeria to Turkey was driven by financial motives, despite the athlete attributing it to years of administrative negligence.
Speaking to reporters, Okowa confirmed that both World Athletics and Ofili had formally communicated the change to the AFN.
“They have officially informed us. Both World Athletics and the athlete herself,” he said.
However, Okowa dismissed Ofili’s explanation that her frustrations with Nigerian sports authorities—particularly during the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games—influenced her move.
“Ofili herself knows the whole truth. This is all about money. She and her coach are trying to make some money,” Okowa said.
While noting that he had no objection to the 22-year-old’s personal choice, he criticized the reasons she made public.
“I don’t see anything wrong with that. If she wants to go, it’s okay. She’s an adult. But she should stop using these reasons as her excuse,” he added.
Okowa also pointed to athletes from Kenya and Jamaica who have switched allegiance to Turkey in recent years.
“Okay, the Kenyans and Jamaicans that are going to Turkey, what reasons do they have? Let her go in peace. She’s an adult; she has the right to make her decision if she wants to switch allegiance or not.”
Ofili, who holds the world record in the women’s 150m, had announced her decision on social media, citing repeated disappointment with the AFN and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOA).
She recalled being sidelined from competition at Tokyo 2020 due to missed tests and being left out of the women’s 100m entry list for Paris 2024, describing both episodes as major sources of frustration.
“I have made this decision. While that means sitting out this year’s championship in Tokyo, this change comes from the heart, not from financial motives,” Ofili said in her statement.
Her switch adds to a long list of Nigerian athletes who have changed nationality in the past, including Francis Obikwelu, Gloria Alozie, Florence Ekpo-Umoh, Salwa Eid Naser and Femi Ogunode, many of whom went on to enjoy success under their new flags.
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