Ofili confirmed that years of frustration with officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) pushed her to seek a fresh start. According to her, repeated administrative failures cost her two Olympic opportunities — setbacks she believes derailed critical moments in her career.
“I had to run to save my career”
Speaking through her coach, Dennis Shaver, Ofili said the breaking point came after what she described as preventable errors by officials.
“It started in Japan when some of us were stopped from competing in the Olympics because some officials failed to do what they were paid to do,” she said, referring to the Tokyo Games controversy that saw Nigerian athletes ruled ineligible over administrative lapses. “After that, there were no apologies, and people behaved as if nothing happened.”
She added that a similar situation unfolded at the Paris 2024 Games, where she claimed she was not properly registered for her race despite having qualified.
“They set up a panel to unravel the circumstances that led to that error, but nothing happened afterwards. The same officials were given a fresh mandate to continue with their blunder. So, I had to run to save my career. It was never about the money.”
Ofili maintained that the emotional toll of missing major championships due to administrative mistakes — rather than athletic performance — left her with little choice.
A different path from Mary Onyali
Her comments follow remarks by Mary Onyali, Nigeria’s former sprint star and Olympic medallist, who revealed she once turned down offers from European nations such as France and Sweden to change allegiance during her prime.
While expressing respect for Onyali, Ofili said their situations were not comparable.
“Anybody can say anything, but I never heard that Onyali was denied the chance to compete in the Olympics by those who were supposed to look after her,” she stated, arguing that her decision stemmed from circumstances beyond her control.
Joining Turkey’s sprint ambitions
Ofili has since joined Turkey’s growing athletics programme, which is seeking to build a formidable women’s sprint squad capable of challenging for medals in the 100m, 400m and relay events.
She said her decision was also influenced by the realities of an athlete’s career span.
“I am a woman in a job that has a short lifespan. Soon, I will get married and start thinking of having babies. So, this is the right time for me to make good use of the time I have left in my career.”
Coach defends athlete’s choice
Dennis Shaver, who has coached several Nigerian athletes, defended Ofili against suggestions that her switch was financially motivated. He said critics may not fully grasp the devastation of losing an Olympic opportunity due to administrative negligence.
“Perhaps people may not fully appreciate what it feels like for an athlete to dedicate years of hard work, sacrifice and discipline — only to have the opportunity to compete at the Olympic Games slip away,” Shaver said.
He added that he has consistently encouraged athletes of Nigerian origin to represent the country and has worked with AFN officials, including its performance director and Athletes’ Liaison Victor Okorie, to create relay qualification opportunities.
“My heart has always been with seeing Nigerian athletes succeed under the Nigerian flag,” he said, noting that he continues to support other Nigerian sprinters who have chosen to remain.
A painful choice
Ofili’s departure underscores ongoing tensions within Nigerian athletics, where athletes have repeatedly raised concerns over governance and administrative competence.
For Ofili, however, the decision was ultimately personal and urgent. “Unless someone has walked through the exact pain and disappointment I experienced,” she said, “it may be difficult to fully understand the weight of my choice.”
Her switch marks not only a significant shift in her own career trajectory, but also a broader moment of reflection for Nigerian athletics on how administrative lapses can shape — and sometimes alter — the destinies of elite competitors.