World and Nigerian record holder Favour Ofili has officially initiated a switch of allegiance to Turkey, citing frustration with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). According to reports, the 22-year-old made the move on May 31, 2025, after years of what she described as “neglect and incompetence” from the federation.
Popularly known as “Star Girl,” Ofili’s defection is said to be part of a high-value recruitment deal by Turkey, with a base financial package of $500,000—potentially rising to $1 million—if the transition is finalized.
The Louisiana State University standout recently stunned the world with a new 150m world record of 15.85 seconds at the Adidas Atlanta City Games, cementing her status as one of the brightest emerging stars in global athletics.
According to sources close to the matter, Ofili lodged a formal complaint with the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), expressing dissatisfaction with the AFN’s repeated administrative blunders. “It’s a move triggered by years of neglect,” one report noted. Her frustration peaked after the AFN and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) failed to enter her name for the Paris 2024 Olympics despite her hitting the qualification standard in the 100m—a costly error that mirrors a similar mishap ahead of the Tokyo 2021 Games, where 14 other athletes were also affected by poor federation oversight.
In her words to the AIU, Ofili pointed directly to the federation’s repeated failures: “It’s the same AFN leadership, and the same incompetency.”
This marks the second time she has missed an Olympic appearance due to federation mishandling.
Turkey, which has embarked on an aggressive international talent recruitment drive, has been targeting elite athletes from countries with unstable athletics governance. Reports suggest the Turkish Athletics Federation is eyeing at least 15 top-tier athletes—including a rising Jamaican sprinter—as it builds a formidable women’s 4x100m relay team for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Ofili, who holds Nigerian indoor and outdoor records in the 200m (22.11s and 21.96s respectively), is already being touted as a future Olympic and world medallist. Her 100m personal bests include a legal 10.93s (-0.7) in 2022, and wind-aided 10.78s (+2.2) and 10.85s (+2.6) in 2024.
As Ofili prepares to compete under a new flag, her departure raises fresh questions about Nigeria’s ability to retain its top athletic talent amid persistent administrative lapses.
