Adedokun Waliyu 
Favour Ofili has had her request to change sporting nationality from Nigeria to Turkey rejected by World Athletics.
The decision followed a review by the organisation’s nationality panel, which raised concerns about how the transfer process was initiated.
According to the ruling, the Turkish Athletics Federation was found to be actively recruiting foreign athletes and promoting rapid nationality changes for what was described as largely “mercenary” motives.
Ofili was part of a group of 11 athletes submitted by Turkey in a batch application seeking eligibility switches.
World Athletics warned that such practices could undermine the integrity of international competitions by weakening national development systems and prioritising imported talent over homegrown athletes.
The 23-year-old sprinter had begun the process in 2025 after criticising Nigerian sports authorities for alleged mismanagement and hindrance to her career.
Ofili holds Nigeria’s women’s 200m national record at 21.96 seconds and has a personal best of 10.78 seconds in the 100m, both set in 2022.
