Nigeria Officially Bids to Host Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abuja
Nigeria has officially submitted a bid to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abuja, potentially bringing the sport back to Africa for the first time since 1993. Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, confirmed that the proposal has been forwarded to the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Formula 1 Management through Opus Racing Promotions, Nigeria’s official negotiating partner. “This bid goes beyond hosting a race. It is a chance to highlight Nigeria’s creativity, capacity, and commitment to world-class sporting infrastructure,” Dikko said. “It is a landmark project that could transform Nigeria’s role in global motorsport and sports tourism.” The Abuja Grand Prix has received support from senior government officials and private sector stakeholders. Invitations have been extended to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, racing legend Lewis Hamilton, and Tilke Engineers & Architects—the firm behind most modern F1 tracks—for site inspections and stakeholder engagements in Abuja. The bid follows Nigeria’s successful hosting of the inaugural E1 Lagos GP in March, marking Africa’s first leg of the all-electric powerboat series. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hailed the event as a demonstration of the state’s focus on innovation and clean energy. Nigeria is also competing with India to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. President Bola Tinubu has called on the Commonwealth to award the centenary edition to Nigeria, which would make it the first African country to host the Games.