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Nigeria is also feeling the full effects of Turkey’s athletics ‘poaching’ spree after one of the country’s top sprinters opted to change allegiance over a number of frustrations.
As the athletics world continues to digest the news that a number of Jamaican athletes have switched nationalities to Turkey, the ‘poaching’ spree has now landed in Nigeria.
Jamaican athletes Rajindra Campbell (Olympic shot-put bronze medalist) and Roje Stona (discus gold medalist) have left their country stunned after opting to take up citizenship in the European nation just over three months before the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan in September.
Now, Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili has reportedly also switched her national allegiance to Turkey, months after expressing frustration with the Nigerian Athletics Federation for omitting her from the 100m event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, despite qualifying.
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Ofili, a specialist in the 100m, 200m, and relays, was a highly touted LSU athlete before signing a professional contract with Adidas in 2023.
A multiple World U20 Championship medalist, the 22-year-old had high hopes for her Olympic debut in Paris. Despite qualifying for the 100m, her name was inexplicably left off the official start list.
Why Has Ofili Ditched Nigeria for Turkey?
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In an X (formerly Twitter) post dated August 2, 2024, Ofili criticized the Nigerian Athletics Federation, questioning their accountability and the process for entering athletes into Olympic events.
"Who assigned federations and/or Olympic committees to enter athletes into Olympic Games? Is it World Athletics? If so, should they not hold them accountable when they fail to do their job by not entering athletes in events they qualify and want to compete?" she posed.
She ultimately competed only in the 200m, finishing sixth in the final and missing out on a potential medal.
According to Television Jamaica/Radio Jamaica Newscentre, Ofili's disappointment led her to switch allegiance to Turkey as of May 31, 2025 but unlike Campbell and Stona, who reportedly received financial incentives for switching to Turkey, Ofili's decision appears to be solely based on the administrative oversight she experienced in Nigeria.
Campbell and Stona will reportedly receive a $500,000 signing bonus and ongoing monthly financial support. This isn't the first time Turkey has recruited athletes; track athletes Emre Zafer Barnes and Jak Ali Harvey also switched allegiance in 2015.
Sprinter Has Stayed Resolute Despite Challenges
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The former NCAA 200m record holder, Ofili, reflected on her challenging Olympic experience on Instagram, highlighting the mental toll of the administrative error and vowing to come back stronger.
"Competing in the Olympics has been the dream of a lifetime. The outcome of this Olympics wasn’t what I hoped for, having to fight with myself every day to be strong mentally even when my body and health were at stake due to the challenges I faced,” she posted.
“It’s easy to feel defeated, but every setback is a setup for a comeback. I’m proud of myself, the whole thing made me realise how strong I am and I’m grateful for the support I got from my coach, family, and fans."
Ofili recently claimed a bronze medal at her first Grand Slam Track meet in Miami, finishing ahead of three-time Olympic champion Gabby Thomas.
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