Nigeria has officially entered the race to host a Formula 1 (F1) Grand Prix, aiming to become the first African country to stage the prestigious event since South Africa in 1993.
The National Sports Commission (NSC), led by Chairman Shehu Dikko, announced its ambition and has appointed Opus Racing Promotions as the official representative for Nigeria’s bid. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
F1 Officials, Lewis Hamilton Invited to Abuja
To strengthen the proposal, Dikko has invited top F1 figures to Abuja, including:
Stefano Domenicali, F1 CEO
Lewis Hamilton, seven-time World Champion
Tilke Engineers & Architects, world-renowned F1 circuit designers
Discussions with government officials and private sector stakeholders are expected to focus on infrastructure, tourism, and investment opportunities.
“A Driver for Tourism and Economic Growth” – Dikko
Speaking on the bid, Dikko emphasized that the project goes beyond sports:
“We are exploring all possibilities to bring Formula 1 to Nigeria as soon as practicable — not just as a sporting event, but as a driver for tourism, infrastructure, youth engagement, economic growth, and national unity.”
If successful, the Grand Prix could boost Nigeria’s global image, attract foreign investments, create jobs, and position sports as a major contributor to the country’s GDP.
Tough Competition from Other African Nations
Nigeria faces competition from South Africa and Rwanda, who are also exploring bids to host the F1 Grand Prix on African soil.
