Nigeria has officially thrown its hat into the ring to bring Formula 1 racing back to the African continent for the first time in over three decades. Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, announced that Opus Racing Promotions has been appointed as Nigeria’s official bid partner, with the nation’s capital, Abuja, proposed as the host city for a future Grand Prix.
In a proactive move, Dikko has extended formal invitations to key figures in the Formula 1 world, including CEO Stefano Domenicali, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and representatives from Tilke Engineers & Architects – renowned designers of iconic race circuits. The aim of these invitations is to facilitate strategic discussions with Nigerian government officials and private sector leaders.
“Our ambition is to host a Grand Prix not just for the thrill of motorsport, but as a powerful vehicle for tourism, infrastructure growth, youth empowerment, economic development and rebranding Nigeria on the global stage,” Dikko stated, outlining the extensive potential benefits of such an endeavor.
He further emphasized that securing an F1 race could ignite national pride, attract substantial private investments, create employment opportunities, and solidify sports’ contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and national unity.
If Nigeria’s bid is successful, it would mark a historic return of Formula 1 to Africa, with the last Grand Prix on the continent held in South Africa in 1993. It is worth noting that South Africa and Rwanda are also reportedly vying to host future races, setting the stage for a competitive bid process among African nations. Formula 1 circuits are typically purpose-built tracks or hybrid urban-street layouts designed for high-performance racing.
