World Athletics has rejected an application by the Türkiye Athletics Federation to change the sporting allegiance of Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili. The ruling, delivered by the Nationality Review Panel, halts Ofili’s bid to represent Turkey at international competitions, including the 2028 Olympic Games.
The decision was contained in a document obtained on Thursday. The panel, made up of Donna Raynor, Cydonie Motherskill, and Susanne van Waert, concluded that approving the request would undermine the principles guiding nationality transfers in athletics.
According to the panel, the application was part of a broader recruitment drive by Turkey targeting multiple foreign athletes. Officials expressed concern that the strategy, backed by lucrative contracts, was designed to boost Turkey’s competitiveness ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. They warned that such practices risk eroding the credibility of national representation by encouraging athletes to switch allegiance for financial or competitive advantage rather than genuine national ties.
The panel reviewed submissions from Ofili, the Turkish federation, and other stakeholders before reaching its conclusion. It acknowledged Ofili’s grievances with Nigerian athletics authorities but ruled that her complaints did not outweigh the broader regulatory concerns.
Ofili last represented Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Since then, she has acquired Turkish citizenship, signed a long-term contract, and indicated plans to relocate. Despite these developments, the panel determined that they were insufficient to justify approval under World Athletics rules.
The ruling stated clearly: “The Application by the TAF for Favour Ofili to transfer allegiance from NGR to TUR is not approved.” It added that Ofili is not eligible to represent Turkey in national competitions. However, she remains free to compete in international meetings in a personal or club capacity and can continue to live and train in Turkey.
World Athletics emphasized that its eligibility rules grant discretionary powers to reject nationality switches where broader institutional objectives are threatened. In this case, the panel concluded that allowing Ofili’s transfer would compromise efforts to maintain fair competition and encourage nations to develop homegrown talent.
The rejection is a setback for Ofili, who announced her intention to switch allegiance in September 2025. She cited dissatisfaction with the management of her career by Nigerian athletics authorities as a key reason for her decision. At 23, she is one of Nigeria’s most prominent sprinters and set a world record in the 150m in 2025.
The case highlights the tension between athletes seeking better opportunities abroad and governing bodies determined to preserve the integrity of international competition. While nationality changes are permitted under certain conditions, World Athletics has made clear that it will intervene when broader principles are at stake.
For Nigeria, the ruling ensures that one of its brightest talents remains tied to the country’s athletics program, at least for now. For Turkey, it represents a setback in its efforts to strengthen its Olympic prospects through the recruitment of foreign athletes.
The decision underscores World Athletics’ commitment to balancing individual rights with collective responsibility. By rejecting Ofili’s application, the panel reinforced the message that national representation must be rooted in genuine ties, not financial incentives or recruitment campaigns.
As the 2028 Olympics approach, the ruling may serve as a precedent for similar cases, signaling that attempts to engineer competitiveness through mass nationality switches will face strict scrutiny. For Ofili, the path forward remains uncertain. She can continue training and competing at club level in Turkey, but her dream of representing the country on the global stage has been put on hold.
