Nigeria’s Bold Bid to Host a Formula 1 Grand Prix — Here’s Why It Matters

In April 2025, Nigeria's National Sports Commission (NSC), led by Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, sat down with Opus Race Promotions and Formula 1 officials to explore hosting the 2028 Grand Prix in Abuja . With former Nigerian football star Daniel Uchechi on the delegation and Marvin Sordell (veteran Premier League striker) as co-CEO of the promotion team, the proposal includes a motorsport circuit, a karting track, hotels, a tech hub—and a motorsport museum too . They’ve invited F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali to Abuja to see the project for himself. Nigeria aims to become the first African nation in 30+ years to host F1. The last race on the continent? South Africa in 1993, at Kyalami circuit . The vision? A major economic engine: The NSC claims a Grand Prix weekend could generate $3.5 billion annually, tourism, global branding, investments, and jobs . Lagos State is already planning to build a world-class race track in partnership with Circuits of Africa to support this push . Nigeria’s leadership sees this move as more than a thrill ride — it's aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s national agenda to "reset, refocus, and relaunch" the sports economy under the Renewed Hope vision . If Nigeria secures the bid, we could join an elite global league in 2028 alongside countries like Thailand, which is investing nearly $1.2 billion for its own Grand Prix debut . But hosting an F1 race is no easy feat. It requires Grade-1 infrastructure, massive investments (think US$300M+), and operational expertise that Nigeria is building through partnerships with global architects and promoters like Tilke and Opus Race Promotions . --- Nigeria has the population. Nigeria has the ambition. And with youth hungry for innovation and global exposure, this isn’t just a race — it’s a statement: we can host the world next.