World Athletics (WA) has rejected the request by Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili to change her national allegiance to Turkey.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) confirmed the decision in a statement on Thursday, citing WA’s national review panel ruling on the matter.
According to WA, the application was declined because it was part of a broader recruitment approach by the Turkish Athletics Federation aimed at encouraging athletes to switch nationality under questionable circumstances.
The body said the process undermines fair competition and discourages nations from developing homegrown athletes.
Ofili was among 11 foreign athletes whose nationality switch requests were presented by Turkey to WA.
In its decision, WA noted that such recruitment practices risk weakening national sports development systems while prioritising imported talent over local athletes.
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The athlete began proceedings to switch allegiance in 2025, following her public complaints about neglect and administrative failures within Nigerian athletics management.
Her career has previously been affected by administrative issues, including missing the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to compliance oversights and being ruled out of the 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics after her name was reportedly not submitted on time by officials.