The Nigerian government has officially declared its interest in hosting Formula 1 in Abuja.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) made this announcement on July 23, 2025, aiming to position Nigeria as a trailblazer in African motorsport.
The NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko said the commission has already appointed Opus Racing Promotions as Nigeria’s official representative to negotiate with Formula 1’s global management and the FIA, the sport’s governing body.
Dikko emphasized that hosting Formula 1 in Abuja is not just about sports but about leveraging the event to boost national pride, attract private investment, and create jobs.
He also announced that the NSC has extended invitations to key F1 figures, including CEO Stefano Domenicali, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, and Tilke Engineers & Architects, renowned for designing iconic F1 circuits, to visit Abuja and engage with stakeholders.
The NSC Chairman said: “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.
“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.”
Pan-Atlantic Kompass that if successful, Nigeria would become the first African nation to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix since South Africa’s Kyalami circuit in 1993.
However, Nigeria faces competition from South Africa and Rwanda, both of which are also in talks to host the event.
