Favour Ofili's international athletics career is in a state of uncertainty after World Athletics blocked her attempt to switch allegiance from Nigeria to Turkey. Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) board member Olalekan Soetan confirmed the stalemate, stating that the federation has been actively urging the sprinter to represent Nigeria despite her efforts to change national affiliation. Soetan revealed that AFN had been "begging her to compete for Nigeria" even after her application for a transfer was submitted. He attributed Ofili's frustration to ongoing leadership within Nigerian sports administration, noting she remains disillusioned by officials who, in her view, contributed to her decision to leave. "She was really, really frustrated that those who actually gave that to her, got elected and they are still in power," Soetan said. The AFN official emphasized that the current leadership shows no signs of change, which he believes sustains the impasse. Ofili, 23, is currently based in the United States where she is pursuing her studies, further distancing her from Nigeria's athletics setup. Soetan highlighted the eligibility complications now facing the sprinter, stating she cannot represent the USA because World Athletics has ruled her attempted switch to Turkey as invalid. "She can't decide to represent the USA if World Athletics is saying the transfer of allegiance she did was illegal," he added. He also questioned whether she had fulfilled residency requirements in Turkey, casting further doubt on any immediate return to competition under a new flag.
Favour Ofili remains in athletic limbo not because of a failed transfer alone, but because the same leadership she protested is still in charge. Her situation offers no clear path forward, with no eligibility for Turkey or the USA and no trust in Nigeria's federation. Since Ofili is studying in the USA and cannot legally represent another nation under current rulings, her competitive future is on hold. No resolution appears possible while the administration she rejected remains unchanged.
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