The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tonobok Okowa, has challenged sprinter Favour Ofili’s recent claims regarding her decision to switch allegiance from Nigeria to Turkey. While Ofili cited years of neglect and administrative failures by Nigerian sports authorities as her motivation, Okowa insisted the move was driven by financial incentives.
In an interview with ESPN, Okowa confirmed that both World Athletics and Ofili had officially notified the Nigerian body of the change. “They have officially informed us. Both World Athletics and the athlete herself,” he stated.
Ofili, who holds the world record in the women’s 150m, had previously announced her decision on social media, expressing frustration over her sidelining at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to missed tests and her exclusion from the women’s 100m event at the Paris 2024 Games. She maintained that her decision came from the heart, not from financial motives.
However, Okowa rejected this explanation, asserting that money was the core reason for the switch. “Ofili herself knows the whole truth. This is all about money. She and her coach are trying to make some money,” he told the sports network.
While expressing no objection to the athlete’s personal choice, the AFN president criticized her for blaming 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,” he said.
Okowa also pointed to other athletes who have switched nationalities, noting, “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 defection adds her name to a list of Nigerian-born athletes who have chosen to represent other countries, including Francis Obikwelu, Gloria Alozie, Florence Ekpo-Umoh, Salwa Eid Naser, and Femi Ogunode.
