Favour Ofili has been denied a switch of international allegiance to Turkey after World Athletics rejected her transfer request, bringing to a halt a move driven by long-standing frustrations with Nigerian athletics authorities.
In a decision issued on April 16, the governing body’s Nationality Review Panel ruled that approving the transfer would compromise the integrity of international competition and the principles guiding nationality changes.
The panel found that the application was part of a broader recruitment strategy by Turkey involving multiple foreign athletes, aimed at strengthening its national team ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. It concluded that such a strategy risks undermining national development systems and encouraging athletes to switch allegiance for financial reasons rather than genuine national ties.
As a result, Ofili remains ineligible to represent Turkey in international competitions, including the Olympics and World Championships, although she is still free to live, train and compete there at club level.
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Olympic setbacks and federation issues behind decision
Ofili’s attempt to change allegiance follows a series of high-profile administrative failures involving Nigerian athletics authorities that significantly impacted her career.
The 23-year-old was among the athletes affected by Nigeria’s disqualification issues ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where several competitors were ruled ineligible after the country failed to meet mandatory anti-doping testing requirements.
Four years later, she was again at the centre of controversy at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she missed the women’s 100m event despite qualifying after officials failed to complete her registration on time.
Those incidents were central to her case, with the panel noting that Ofili cited concerns over her career and mental well-being, as well as dissatisfaction with the level of support from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.
She had already been granted Turkish citizenship in May 2025 and signed a long-term contract with a government-backed club, with financial and developmental support forming part of the proposed move.
World Athletics cites lack of strong ties to Turkey
Despite those factors, World Athletics ruled that Ofili does not yet have the “genuine, close, credible and established link” to Turkey required to approve a transfer of allegiance.
The panel noted that she continues to train primarily in the United States and has only recently begun integrating into Turkey, with plans to spend more time there in the future.
It also highlighted the scale of the financial incentives involved in the transfer, raising concerns about the nature of the move within the broader recruitment strategy.
While acknowledging her grievances, the panel concluded that they were not sufficient to override the regulations governing nationality transfers.
The decision is likely to reignite debate around athlete welfare and administrative efficiency in Nigerian athletics, particularly following repeated complaints from elite athletes in recent years.
For now, Ofili remains eligible only to compete for Nigeria in international championship events unless the ruling is overturned on appeal.
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