Nigeria Launches Ambitious Bid to Host Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abuja

Nigeria Launches Ambitious Bid to Host Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abuja

Abuja, Nigeria – July 22, 2025

Nigeria has officially launched an ambitious campaign to host the prestigious Formula 1 Grand Prix in its capital city, Abuja—marking a potential historic return of the global motorsport to Africa.

The bid, led by Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, is a strategic move to position Nigeria on the international motorsports map and stimulate broad-based economic and infrastructure development.

In partnership with Opus Racing Promotions and with advisory support from government relations firm BL Practice Hub, the initiative is part of Nigeria’s wider efforts to attract global sporting events and unlock the potential of the country’s sports economy.

“We are exploring all possibilities to bring Formula 1 to Nigeria—not just as a sporting event, but as a powerful catalyst for tourism, infrastructure, youth development, economic expansion, and national branding,” said Dikko.

According to him, the vision aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE), which is focused on resetting, refocusing, and relaunching the sector to drive GDP growth and boost foreign exchange earnings.

To demonstrate Nigeria’s readiness, formal invitations have been sent to key figures in the Formula 1 ecosystem—including FIA President Stefano Domenicali, seven-time world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton, and renowned racetrack designers Tilke Engineers & Architects—to visit Nigeria and engage with government and private sector stakeholders.

These visits are expected to provide a platform for Nigeria to present its case for hosting a Grand Prix, showcasing Abuja’s infrastructural capacity, political will, and strong private sector interest.

“Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy, with a youthful population, expanding infrastructure, and a thriving private sector. We believe we are uniquely positioned to host a world-class Formula 1 race,” Dikko said.

If successful, the Abuja Grand Prix would be the first Formula 1 race on African soil since 1993 and is expected to deliver a significant boost to tourism, create thousands of jobs, and attract major foreign investments. It would also signal the rise of Nigeria as a new hub for international sporting excellence.

As the nation awaits a response from the FIA, excitement is building across the sporting and business communities. The Abuja Grand Prix bid promises to be more than just a race—it represents a powerful fusion of sport, diplomacy, economic transformation, and national pride.