President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tonobok Okowa, has dismissed Favour Ofili’s claims that her decision to dump Nigeria for Turkey was rooted in years of neglect, insisting instead that the sprinter was driven by financial considerations.
Speaking in an interview with ESPN, Okowa confirmed that both World Athletics and Favour Ofili had communicated the switch to the Nigerian body.
“They have officially informed us. Both World Athletics and the athlete herself,” he said.
Naija News reports that Ofili, who holds the world record in the women’s 150m, has announced that she would now represent Turkey, citing frustrations with Nigerian sports authorities.
She recalled being sidelined at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to missed tests and expressed disappointment over her exclusion from the women’s 100m event at the Paris 2024 Games.
“This change comes from the heart, not from financial motives,” Ofili wrote in her statement.
But Okowa rejected that explanation, maintaining that money was the central issue. “Ofili herself knows the whole truth. This is all about money. She and her coach are trying to make some money,” he told ESPN.
The AFN boss stressed that he had no objection to the athlete’s personal choice, but faulted her for pointing fingers at administrators.
“I don’t see anything wrong with that, but as far as I am concerned, if she wants to go, it’s okay. She’s an adult, but she should stop using these reasons as her excuse,” Okowa said.
He added, “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’s move adds her name to a growing list of Nigerian-born athletes who have switched nationalities, including Francis Obikwelu, Gloria Alozie, Florence Ekpo-Umoh, Salwa Eid Naser and Femi Ogunode.
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