Nigeria has entered the race to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in the capital city of Abuja. This historic bid is being championed by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, who is leading the charge to place Nigeria firmly on the Formula 1 calendar.
To spearhead this initiative, the NSC has appointed Opus Racing Promotions as its official representative for the Formula 1 bid. In April 2025, Mallam Dikko formally welcomed representatives of Opus Racing to Nigeria to discuss the bid in detail.
The visit has ignited widespread excitement across the nation and has garnered enthusiastic support from the Nigerian Government, sporting community, and private sector leaders.
“We are exploring all possibilities to bring Formula 1 to Nigeria as soon as practicable – not just as a sporting event, but as a catalytic driver of tourism, infrastructure development, youth engagement, economy and indeed soft power for Nigeria.
This vision aligns with the Renewed Hope and shared prosperity vision of our President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR under the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE), which is deliberate to RESET, REFOCUS, and RELAUNCH the sector to unlock economic contribution, global exports, and foreign exchange earnings.,” said Mr. Dikko.
“A Nigerian Grand Prix would not only boost national pride but also strengthen our infrastructure, attract private investment, and create economic opportunities and jobs—firmly positioning sports as a vital pillar of Nigeria’s GDP growth and unity.”
To signal Nigeria’s seriousness and readiness, the NSC Chairman has extended formal invitations to FIA Mr Stefano Domenicali, seven-time World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton, and Tilke Engineers & Architects, the globally renowned track designers, to visit Nigeria and engage directly with government and private sector stakeholders.
These visits will allow key decision-makers to hear firsthand Nigeria’s compelling proposal for hosting a world-class Grand Prix in Abuja.
As Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria holds a commanding economic and political position on the continent.
With extensive infrastructure, growing international appeal, and a thriving private sector, Nigeria is uniquely positioned to host Formula 1, delivering both the spectacle and logistical excellence the sport demands.
As Nigeria waits with anticipation to receive positive response from the FIA, one thing is for sure, The Abuja Grand Prix bid if successful represents a strategic fusion of sport, infrastructure development, tourism, and economic growth, setting the stage for a new era of motorsports in Africa.
