In international sports, athletes often change nationalities to represent other countries. While FIFA heavily regulates this in football, athletics, governed by the IAAF, has more lenient rules, leading to frequent nationality switches with Favour Ofili switching allegiance to Turkey.
This trend has a major impact on African sports, hindering development and affecting international competition results. Lacking incentives, African athletes are often lured to countries offering better opportunities.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News on Naira Sports WhatsApp Channel
Nigeria, in particular, has experienced a mass exodus of athletes representing other nations in major competitions.
Although football is also affected, athletics sees the highest number of athletes changing allegiance.
Here are sports stars of Nigeria who have represented other nations, across various sports:
Favour Ofili (Turkey)
The women’s 150m world record holder, Favour Ofili, was the latest Nigerian to switch nationalities, earlier Jamaica-based journalist Kayon Raynor on Sunday announced that Favour has switched allegiance to represent Turkey.
“Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili has switched allegiance to Turkey as of May 31, 2025. According to impeccable TVJ News Centre sources, 22-year-old Ofili has advised the Athletics Integrity Unit of her frustration with the Nigerian Athletics Federation,” Raynor posted via X.
Raynor added that Ofili’s decision stems from repeated administrative failures by Nigerian authorities that affected her Olympic participation.
“Ofili stated that the Nigerian Athletics Federation caused her to miss the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after they did not confirm her number of doping control tests, and then missed competing in the 100m at the Paris Olympics after they did not enter her for the event. She was sixth in the 200m final.”
Ofili informed the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) that her decision to compete for Turkey was not financially driven. Despite the switch, World Athletics still lists her as a Nigerian athlete and among those qualified for the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo from September 13-21.
In May, Ofili broke the world record in the 150m at the Adidas Atlanta City Games, finishing in 15.85 seconds and surpassing Shaunae Miller-Uibo’s previous record of 16.23 seconds.
Francis Obikwelu (Portugal)
Francis Obikwelu is a retired Nigerian-born Portuguese sprinter who specialised in the 100 and 200 meters.
He was born on November 22, 1978. His personal best in the 100 meters is 9.86 seconds, which is also a national record.
Obikwelu won a silver medal at the Olympic Games and a silver medal at the World Championships. He adopted Portuguese nationality in 2002. His personal best in the 200 meters is 19.84 seconds.
Karim Adeyemi (Germany)
Karim David Adeyemi was born January 18, 2002, he is a German professional footballer who has rapidly emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards.
Known for his blistering pace, clinical finishing, and ability to play across the attacking line, Adeyemi currently plies his trade for Bundesliga giant Borussia Dortmund and the Germany national team.
Born in Munich, Germany, to a Nigerian father and a Romanian mother, Adeyemi’s football journey began at a young age. He started with local club TSV Forstenried before joining the prestigious Bayern Munich youth academy at eight.
However, his time at Bayern was brief, and he later moved to SpVgg Unterhaching, where he further developed his skills. It was during his time in youth football that his exceptional talent became evident, leading him to sign with Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg in 2018.
He played a major role in their domestic successes, winning multiple Austrian Bundesliga titles (2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22) and Austrian Cups (2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22).
His impressive performances also extended to the UEFA Champions League, where he scored his first goal in the competition in December 2020. His stellar 2021-22 season saw him finish as the Austrian Bundesliga’s top scorer.
In May 2022, Adeyemi made a high-profile move to German Bundesliga powerhouse Borussia Dortmund, signing a deal until the summer of 2027. He quickly adapted to the demands of German top-flight football, becoming a vital player for BVB.
In his debut season (2022-23), despite some injury setbacks, he contributed significantly with goals and assists, earning the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award.
Adeyemi has represented Germany at various youth levels, including the U16, U17, and U21 teams. He was part of the Germany U21 squad that won the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2021.
His senior international debut for Germany came on September 5, 2021, in a 6-0 FIFA World Cup qualification win over Armenia, where he also scored his first goal for the national team. He was subsequently named in the German squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, a testament to his rapid ascent in professional football.
Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain)
Salwa Eid Naser, born Ebelechukwu Antoinette Agbapuonwu on May 23, 1998, in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria, is a celebrated sprinter who has carved out a remarkable career representing Bahrain.
Specializing in the 400-meter race, Naser has achieved significant milestones, including becoming a World Champion and an Olympic silver medalist, solidifying her place among the elite in global athletics.
Naser’s innate sprinting abilities became apparent at a young age, inspired by her mother, a former sprinter. At just 11, she won both the 100m and 400m races in her first competitive school event.
Her teacher’s encouragement led her to focus on the 400m, a decision that would define her career. Before her 14th birthday, her family relocated to Bahrain. In 2014, at the age of 16, Naser made the pivotal decision to switch allegiance to Bahrain, where she converted to Islam and adopted her current name. While she has largely refrained from commenting on her relationship with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, she has described her transition to Bahrain as a “great” one, suggesting that the move offered better opportunities for her athletic development.
Annette Echikunwoke (USA)
Annette Nneka Echikunwoke, born on July 29, 1996, in Pickerington, Ohio, United States, is a Nigerian-American hammer thrower who has recently achieved significant international acclaim.
Her journey in athletics, marked by impressive collegiate success, a heartbreaking Olympic disqualification, and a subsequent change of allegiance, culminates in her historic Olympic silver medal for the United States.
Echikunwoke’s throwing prowess became evident early in her school years, when she excelled in shot put and discus. She attended the University of Cincinnati for both her undergraduate and master’s degrees, where she became a formidable force in collegiate track and field. During her time with the Cincinnati Bearcats (2014-2019), she established herself as one of the program’s most decorated athletes.
