Favour Ofili

World and Nigerian record Favour Ofili has reportedly switched allegiance to Turkey as of May 31, 2025. She made the decision citing the incompetency of the AFN.

Record-breaking Favour Ofili has reportedly dumped Nigeria for money-recruiting Turkey, where she’s set to earn a $500,000 base payment that can rise to $1,000,000 if the move is completed.

Popularly known as ‘Star Girl’, the 22-year-old speedster who recently clocked a World Record of 15.85s in the 150m at the Adidas Atlanta City Games, has requested a switch of allegiance to Turkey and will no longer don the green and white colours of Nigeria.

Favour Ofili is highly rated as one of the next big names in women’s sprint division

According to reports, Ofili made the decision, expressing her frustration to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). – a move triggered by years of neglect.

She started the process on May 31st and the same AFN leadership was re-elected this June.

The highly talented speedster after hitting the 100m standard for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, AFN and the Nigerian NOC failed to enter her name – the second time she’s missed an Olympic event due to federation mishandling.

In 2021, she also missed the Tokyo Olympics 200m after AFN & NADC failed to get her tested in time, affecting 13 other athletes.

Turkey is currently conducting extensive recruitment of top international athletes, particularly from Jamaica and countries with less favorable federations.

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Their recruitment drive is operating with urgency as the athletes must acquire Turkish citizenship and residency before the end of this month in order to satisfy the three-year eligibility rule enforced by World Athletics for the 2028 Olympic Games.

The athletes who accept the nationality switch are set to receive an upfront payment of at least $500,000 per athlete, and promises of substantial monthly stipends and performance bonuses.

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Reports indicate that they plan to recruit up to 15 athletes for the LA2028 Olympics, prioritizing the women’s 4x100m relay.

Alongside Ofili, a promising Jamaican female sprinter has also been approached in recent days.

Ofili is highly rated as one of the next big names in the women’s sprint division, and she’s seen as a future Olympic and world medallist.

Olympic champion Julien Alfred and Favour ofili in the 200m semifinal at the Paris Olympic Games

Her Personal Bests’ in the 100m are: legal 10.93s (-0.7) in 2022, windy 10.78s (+2.2), and 10.85s (+2.6), both in 2024.

And in the 200m, she’s the Nigerian Record holder indoors and outdoors at 22.11s and 21.96s respectively.