The sport may make its first appearance on the African continent since 1993 as Nigeria formally submitted a bid to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abuja.
Nigeria’s official representative in the discussions, Opus Racing Promotions, made the proposal to the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile and Formula 1 Management, according to Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission.
“This bid goes beyond simply holding a race. It’s about demonstrating Nigeria’s ability, ingenuity, and dedication to building top-notch athletic facilities’, Dikko said.
“This project is historic and will reshape Nigeria’s role in international motorsport and sports tourism.”
Leading government figures and business partners support the Abuja Grand Prix bid.
According to reports, Tilke Engineers & Architects, the international design firm responsible for the majority of contemporary F1 courses, racing legend Lewis Hamilton, and F1 Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali have all been invited to Abuja for stakeholder meetings and site inspections.
Following Nigeria’s triumphant hosting of the first E1 Lagos GP in March—the first time the all-electric powerboat series was staged in Africa—the bid was made.
The event was characterised by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as an indication of the state’s dedication to clean energy and innovation.
President Bola Tinubu has urged the Commonwealth to give the centenary edition to Nigeria, making it the first African country to hold the Games. Nigeria is also vying with India to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
