Nigeria is taking significant strides towards hosting its first-ever Formula 1 (F1) Grand Prix, aiming to reintroduce the sport to the African continent for the first time in over three decades. The country’s effort, if successful, would mark the return of an F1 race to Africa since the last Grand Prix held in South Africa in 1993.
The National Sports Commission (NSC), under the leadership of chairman Shehu Dikko, has formally launched Nigeria’s bid to bring the prestigious motorsport event to the capital city, Abuja. In a strategic move to reinforce the bid, Dikko has appointed Opus Racing Promotions as the official promoter and representative for the country’s proposal to the Formula 1 governing body.
In a bid to attract international support and attention, Dikko has extended formal invitations to key global stakeholders in the Formula 1 ecosystem. These include Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, and Tilke Engineers & Architects, the world-renowned German firm responsible for designing many modern F1 circuits worldwide. The goal is to bring them to Abuja for in-depth consultations with government officials, private investors, and infrastructure experts.
“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,” Dikko stated in an official press release. He emphasized that the project goes far beyond the sport, envisioning a transformative impact on multiple sectors.
If Nigeria’s bid is successful, the initiative could unlock massive infrastructure developments across transportation, hospitality, and urban planning sectors. It is also expected to encourage substantial private investment, create thousands of jobs, and establish motorsport as a key element of Nigeria’s sports economy—contributing significantly to the national GDP.
The competition to host an African F1 Grand Prix is intensifying, with South Africa and Rwanda also reportedly in the race. However, Nigeria hopes that its strategic central location, growing economy, and vibrant youth population will strengthen its case to be the next destination for the world’s most-watched motorsport event.