Race-accident; Tom's Formula Japanese driver Rikuto Kobayashi crashes his car at the Lisboa bend during the FIA FR World Cup first practice session of the 71st Macau Grand Prix in Macau on November 14, 2024. (Photo by Peter PARKS / AFP)
Nigeria has officially entered the race to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in its capital city, Abuja, marking a bold attempt to bring the prestigious motorsport event back to the African continent for the first time in over three decades.
The bid, spearheaded by the National Sports Commission and backed by the federal government, private sector leaders, and major stakeholders, was announced on Wednesday by the Commission’s Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko. He described it as a transformative step towards repositioning Nigeria on the global sports map and unlocking massive economic potential.
“This is more than a sporting bid,” Dikko stated. “It’s a national strategy to drive tourism, accelerate infrastructure development, engage youth, and stimulate economic revitalisation.”
Appointed to lead the charge is Opus Racing Promotions, Nigeria’s official representative for the bid. The proposed Abuja Grand Prix is expected to blend the excitement of world-class racing with the promise of lasting economic and social benefits.
The initiative is closely aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE) — a comprehensive policy designed to relaunch the sector, attract foreign investment, boost exports, and increase GDP contribution.
Dikko emphasized Nigeria’s readiness and capacity to host the event, citing the country’s vast economy, improving infrastructure, and vibrant private sector as key strengths. He also announced that high-profile invitations have been extended to Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, seven-time world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton, and Tilke Engineers & Architects, the renowned firm behind several iconic F1 circuits, to visit Abuja for talks with key stakeholders.
In April, detailed consultations were held in Abuja with the opening officials to map out the proposal. Since then, momentum has grown with cross-sectoral support for what could become one of the continent’s biggest sporting spectacles
Historic move aims to position Nigeria as Africa’s motorsport hub while boosting tourism, infrastructure, and economic growth
Nigeria has officially entered the race to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in its capital city, Abuja, marking a bold attempt to bring the prestigious motorsport event back to the African continent for the first time in over three decades.
The bid, spearheaded by the National Sports Commission and backed by the federal government, private sector leaders, and major stakeholders, was announced on Wednesday by the Commission’s Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko. He described it as a transformative step towards repositioning Nigeria on the global sports map and unlocking massive economic potential.
“This is more than a sporting bid,” Dikko stated. “It’s a national strategy to drive tourism, accelerate infrastructure development, engage youth, and stimulate economic revitalisation.”
Appointed to lead the charge is Opus Racing Promotions, Nigeria’s official representative for the bid. The proposed Abuja Grand Prix is expected to blend the excitement of world-class racing with the promise of lasting economic and social benefits.
The initiative is closely aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE) — a comprehensive policy designed to relaunch the sector, attract foreign investment, boost exports, and increase GDP contribution.
Dikko emphasized Nigeria’s readiness and capacity to host the event, citing the country’s vast economy, improving infrastructure, and vibrant private sector as key strengths. He also announced that high-profile invitations have been extended to Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, seven-time world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton, and Tilke Engineers & Architects, the renowned firm behind several iconic F1 circuits, to visit Abuja for talks with key stakeholders.
In April, detailed consultations were held in Abuja with the opening officials to map out the proposal. Since then, momentum has grown with cross-sectoral support for what could become one of the continent’s biggest sporting spectacles
0 Comments