5 Nigerian Athletes Who Switched Allegiance Due to AFN Negligence

When athletes represent their country on the global stage, it’s often the result of years of dedication, discipline, and a support system that understands the weight of international competition.

Unfortunately, for some Nigerian athletes, that support system failed badly. Over the years, multiple elite athletes have turned their backs on Nigeria and embraced other nations, not out of disloyalty, but out of sheer frustration with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). 

From mishandled drug testing to neglect and lack of structure, here are five athletes who chose to compete for other countries after being let down by their home federation.

Favour Ofili – From Nigeria to Turkey

From winning medals at the African Games to setting national records, Favour Ofili was Nigeria’s rising star. But her relationship with the AFN gradually fell apart.

It started with frequent administrative hiccups, missed entries for competitions, and a general lack of structure. Even as she broke collegiate records in the U.S. and qualified for global events, she often had to deal with the chaos back home unclear communication, unpaid allowances, and unexplained decisions.

In 2024, it became clear she had reached her limit. Ofili switched allegiance to Turkeya country now eager to support her Olympic ambitions. The AFN didn’t resist the move; in fact, they admitted they couldn’t stop her.

Now, Ofili faces a potential three-year ban from international competition due to World Athletics’ transfer rules, but that hasn’t deterred her. 

Annette Echikunwoke – From Nigeria to the United States

Annette Echikunwoke’s heartbreak began just before the biggest moment of her athletic career. A top hammer thrower and NCAA champion, she was primed to represent Nigeria at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. But instead of standing on the field in her green-and-white tracksuit, she was sitting on the sidelines disqualified.

Why? The AFN failed to organize the mandatory drug tests required by World Athletics. Even though Echikunwoke provided her whereabouts multiple times, no test was conducted. 

As a result, she and nine other Nigerian athletes were ruled ineligible. It was a bitter experience. One that prompted her to switch allegiance to the United States, her birth country.

She later went on to win silver at the 2024 Olympics for Team USA, making history as the first American woman to medal in the hammer throw. 

Salwa Eid Naser – From Nigeria to Bahrain

Born Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu in Onitsha, Salwa’s talent was evident early. But the environment to nurture it? Not so much. At 14, she moved with her family to Bahrain, and just two years later, she officially switched allegiance. She also converted to Islam and changed her name.

While she rarely speaks about her experience with the AFN, her silence speaks volumes. The Bahraini system, unlike Nigeria’s, gave her access to world-class facilities and consistent international competition. 

The results? A 2017 World Championship silver medal, a 2019 World title in the 400m, and the third-fastest time in history (48.14 seconds).

Femi Ogunode – From Nigeria to Qatar

Femi Ogunode’s tale is one of being ignored despite showing promise. After qualifying for both the 2007 All-Africa Games and the 2008 Olympics, he was left off Nigeria’s final list. No explanation. No communication. Just disappointment.

That snub was the last straw. He accepted Qatar’s offer and moved there in 2009. The switch revitalized his career. In 2010, he won both the 200m and 400m at the Asian Games. He also broke the Asian 100m record with a time of 9.91 seconds.

Today, he’s one of Asia’s most decorated sprinters. If the AFN had simply given him the chance he earned, he might have been flying Nigeria’s flag instead of Qatar’s.

Francis Obikwelu – From Nigeria to Portugal

Francis Obikwelu’s split from Nigeria wasn’t just about neglect, it was about betrayal. During the 2000 Sydney Olympics, he was nursing a knee injury. Despite being world number two, his concerns were dismissed by Nigerian officials who insisted he continue competing.

The result? His injury worsened, and he crashed out in the semifinals. What made matters worse was the administrative failure that followed. Obikwelu said the AFN told him money had been approved for him, but no one could account for it. 

The repeated letdowns pushed him to make a life-changing decision: he became a Portuguese citizen. Portugal gave him the platform Nigeria didn’t. He won silver in the 100m at the 2004 Olympics, becoming the fastest man in European history at the time. He made history.