Nigeria has officially submitted a bid to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abuja, a move that could see the sport return to the African continent for the first time since 1993.
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, confirmed that the proposal has been filed with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Formula 1 Management through Opus Racing Promotions, Nigeria’s designated representative in the talks.
Dikko described the bid as a defining moment for Nigerian sport, emphasizing that it goes beyond securing a race.
He said the Abuja Grand Prix aims to showcase the country’s creativity, infrastructure, and determination to deliver a world-class motorsport experience that would place Nigeria firmly on the global sporting map.
The bid has attracted strong backing from senior government officials and major private sector investors.
Invitations have already been sent to F1 Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, and renowned circuit designers Tilke Engineers & Architects for a planned site inspection and stakeholder engagement in Abuja.
The push for an F1 race follows Nigeria’s successful hosting of the inaugural E1 Lagos Grand Prix in March, Africa’s first-ever all-electric powerboat race which drew international praise.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hailed that event as proof of Nigeria’s capacity for innovation and its commitment to clean energy sports.
Meanwhile, the Abuja Grand Prix bid coincides with Nigeria’s ongoing campaign to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
President Bola Tinubu has appealed to the Commonwealth to grant the centenary edition to Nigeria, which would make it the first African country to stage the prestigious event.