The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has dismissed reports suggesting that elite sprinter Favour Ofili has switched her allegiance to Turkey, reaffirming that the speedster remains committed to representing Nigeria.
Speaking during the World Press Conference held in Abuja ahead of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) U-18 and U-20 Championships, Olopade, who also chairs the Local Organising Committee, set the record straight amid swirling rumours of a nationality change for one of Nigeria’s most prominent athletes.
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“Favour Ofili is still representing Nigeria. She wrote to the NSC two months ago, reaffirming her commitment to compete for Nigeria,” Olopade said.
“When I resumed as DG of NSC I called her personally and she confirmed her allegiance to Nigeria.”
No official communication of Favour Ofili transfer
Olopade also revealed that Ofili is one of 69 athletes who received financial grants from the NSC in April 2025, further underlining her current involvement in Nigerian sports development efforts.
“There has been no official communication from any international federation or national body indicating that she has switched allegiance. As far as the NSC is concerned, she remains a Nigerian athlete,” he emphasised.
Rising concerns over Athlete transfers
The DG’s comments follow a wave of speculation and public concern, triggered by unverified reports that Ofili, the women’s 150m world record holder, was in the process of transferring allegiance to Turkey. The reports, if true, would represent a major blow to Nigeria’s medal hopes ahead of upcoming international competitions.
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Athletes who switch nationalities are required to serve a three-year waiting period, according to World Athletics rules, if they have previously competed for another country in top-tier events like the Olympics—which Ofili did in Paris 2024.
If the alleged move materialises, she would join the likes of Francis Obikwelu (Portugal), Gloria Alozie (Spain), Femi Ogunode (Qatar), and Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain) all Nigerian-born athletes who have gone on to win medals for other nations.
ALSO READ: Favour Ofili and 4 other Sports stars who ‘dump’ Nigeria for another country
The Turkish Athletics Federation has recently been linked with aggressive recruitment of elite foreign-born athletes, reportedly offering generous financial packages to athletes from Africa, including Nigeria.
But Olopade’s firm stance suggests Nigeria is doing all it can to retain its brightest talents, amidst increasing global competition for world-class athletes.
While the debate continues in athletic circles, the NSC’s latest statement sends a strong message of reassurance to Nigerian fans: Favour Ofili remains Team Nigeria at least for now.
