Favour Ofili Could Compete for Nigeria at 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow
United States-based Nigerian sprinter, Favour Ofili, may be part of Nigeria's contingent to the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Glasgow, Scotland. This development comes just a day after World Athletics denied her request to change her allegiance from Nigeria to Türkiye.
Ofili's Return to the Track and Allegiance Decision
The 23-year-old sprinter, who was a 200m finalist at the Paris 2024 Olympics, was expected to return to competition on Friday at the Percy Beard Track in Gainesville, Florida, participating in the Tom Jones Memorial event. Ofili had sought to leave Nigeria, citing administrative and technical incompetence by officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and a lack of adequate welfare. In contrast, she was offered a system by Türkiye that promised her $10,000 per month until the 2028 Olympics.
However, World Athletics, through its Nationality Review Panel, rejected her application on Thursday. The panel expressed concerns over the integrity of international competitions and the growing trend of athlete recruitment driven by financial incentives. This decision has sparked reactions from sports officials in Nigeria.
Support from Nigerian Sports Officials
Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, stated on Thursday evening that he expects Ofili to be included in Team Nigeria for the Commonwealth Games. "Ofili is our daughter, and it is good to have her back. I have spoken with AFN officials to see the possibility of including Ofili's name on our delegation to Glasgow. It will be good to see Ofili compete for Nigeria again," Olopade said.
Former AFN President, Solomon Ogba, commended World Athletics for rejecting Ofili's application. He described the ruling as a victory for fairness and a strong message in defense of developing nations that invest heavily in nurturing athletic talent. "This is justice not just for Nigeria but for many developing countries that work tirelessly to groom athletes, only for them to be lured away by wealthier nations," Ogba stated.
Broader Context and Warnings to Athletes
Ofili's case was one of 11 applications submitted by the Turkish Athletics Federation, which World Athletics linked to a broader government-backed strategy to strengthen its team ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Despite having obtained Turkish citizenship and signing a lucrative club contract, Ofili remains ineligible to compete for Türkiye in major competitions such as the World Championships and the Olympic Games.
Ogba praised World Athletics President Sebastian Coe as a consistent ally of developing countries. He advised athletes to remain focused and avoid making career decisions driven solely by short-term financial gains, citing examples like Usain Bolt, Julien Alfred, and Eliud Kipchoge, who achieved success while representing their home countries.
Ogba further warned athletes against external pressures from managers and associates, urging them to consider the long-term implications of switching nationality. "Many athletes who left Nigeria often return after retirement seeking support. The reality is that your home country offers opportunities beyond competition — as coaches, administrators, and mentors," he emphasized.
He urged Nigerian athletes to remain loyal and committed, stressing that while opportunities abroad may appear attractive, long-term security and identity remain tied to their country of origin.
