The National Sports Commission (NSC) has commenced moves to prevent sprinter Favour Ofili from switching allegiance to Turkey, insisting she remains a Nigerian athlete until September 2028. A top NSC official told The Guardian that Ofili was among elite athletes paid training grants last year, and World Athletics has been formally notified of Nigeria’s position. “If Ofili wants to compete for another country, she will have to wait until September 2028.
That is the simple truth,” the official stated. Ofili, Nigeria’s only woman to run under 22 seconds in 200m (21.96s national record), announced her intention to switch last year. She has represented Nigeria at Youth Olympics, World Championships, Commonwealth Games, and Paris 2024 Olympics. Meanwhile, sprint legend Mary Onyali revealed she turned down offers from four countries during her career, choosing loyalty to Nigeria.
Key Points:
The NSC’s stance aims to halt the exodus of Nigeria’s top athletic talent.
It tests World Athletics rules on nationality switches after receiving training grants.
Ofili faces blocked transfer, while Nigeria retains its star sprinter for LA 2028.
This signals the commission’s determination to protect national sports assets.
The timing, with Onyali’s example, reinforces loyalty messaging.
NSC moves to block Favour Ofili’s Turkey switch, citing training grants and World Athletics rules that keep her Nigerian until September 2028.
Sources: The Guardian, NSC