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
The announcement was made by Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, who 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 is more than just about hosting a race. It is about showcasing Nigeria’s capacity, creativity, and commitment to developing world-class sporting infrastructure,” Dikko said. “It is a landmark project that will redefine Nigeria’s place in global motorsport and sports tourism.”
The Abuja Grand Prix initiative has garnered support from senior government officials and private sector partners. Invitations have been extended to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, racing legend Lewis Hamilton, and Tilke Engineers & Architects—the firm behind most modern F1 circuits—to visit Abuja for site inspections and stakeholder discussions.
The bid follows Nigeria’s successful hosting of the inaugural E1 Lagos GP in March, the first African leg of the all-electric powerboat series. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the event as a demonstration of the state’s commitment to innovation and clean energy.
Nigeria is also competing with India to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. President Bola Tinubu has urged the Commonwealth to award the centenary edition to Nigeria, which would make it the first African nation to host the Games.
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