As someone who claims or better still, who wishes to be a creative, being born as a Nigerian has been both a blessing and a curse. Nigeria is a goldmine of talent. As an unapologetic member of the internet generation, I have witnessed how limitless freedom can impact one’s talent and creativity. But to what use is talent in a system where brilliance is left to fend for itself, and potential dies in silence?
Last week, the whole Twitter NG was in an uproar about Favour Ofili switching allegiance to Turkey. While one side of the internet could not wrap their heads around the idea of her having a career in a country she has no blood ties with, the other side of the internet could see the reality playing in black and white — she is just a citizen who is tired of being a victim.
Ofili’s decision wasn’t random. It wasn’t unpatriotic. It was a response, a loud one, to what many Nigerian athletes have long endured: a system that fails to support, protect, or respect them.
In 2021, Nigeria was a trending country — not for economic uprisings and thankfully not for a terrorist attack, but for a scandal. Ten of its top track and field athletes were disqualified from the Tokyo Olympics after the country failed to meet testing protocols. Among those affected? Favour Ofili.
Fast forward to 2024, and history repeated itself. Favour Ofili once again missed Olympic qualification not because of performance or because she didn’t meet the requirements, but due to administrative negligence from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria. That’s twice the Olympics was taken from her, not by her own doing, but by a federation entrusted with her future.
And the list goes on and on. Annette Echikunwoke, after being dropped from Team Nigeria in 2021, now competes for USA. Francis Obikwelu, once a Nigerian sprinter, won Olympic silver for Portugal after switching allegiance in 2002.
This is no small talk. Here is what all of these withdrawals mean for Nigeria in the long run — lost medals, lost pride, lost global respect. When stars export their talents, national pride and medal counts suffer and when an increasing number of athletes keep trying to switch flags, what does that say about the nation’s global perception?
It’s not just about sports, it’s about the growing talents in tech, the music industry, arts, film. The government has a responsibility towards providing a system that grooms and exports talents; not one that stifles dreams.
Favour Ofili’s switch to Turkey is not betrayal. It’s a message: “Fix this system — or lose us all.”
