As Nigeria's ambition grows, it's footprint on the global sports world must grow as well. Nigeria's most notable sports are football, other aspects of football like beach football, track and field, and basketball. Naija has begun to branch out into polo, rugby and others. But with the number of Nigerian engineers who work in the UK and the US, if Nigeria was able to upgrade it's domestic technological base, and revamp it's auto industry, then I could imagine that Formula one would follow.

Late last year, a Nigerian made a breakthrough in a 24 hour race in Belgium.
http://pulse.ng/sports/other_sports/shahin-nouri-nigerian-makes-history-in-motorsport-id5437500.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5jWKmLyBEY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBiA2ndCOZk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L5JgajyMAM

Perhaps it shouldn't be a surprise that it was a Nigerian of Lebanese decent as native Nigerians have only recently begun to show more interest in motorsports. I'm happy to see anyone who proudly flies the flag succeed, but more effort would have to follow to truly become engaged in a sport in whose participation, technological skills could be enhanced and lead to a wholey domestic automotive industry on the cutting-edge of technology. But this is years away.

The initial plans of the Centenary City outside of Abuja did have plans for an F1 track with the goal of perhaps attracting the sport to Nigeria to bring it back to the continent for the first time since the sport left South Africa. With the dominance of Lewis Hamilton on close showcase for a Nigerian public, black interest in the sport could rise. Interest in domestic automotive engineering could rise with the best Nigerian minds keying up with ideas to improve things like fuel efficiency and safety. Domestic manufacturers might begin to rise to join Innosen.

Nigerians in Abuja might also stop driving on the streets of Abuja and take their action to the track...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dalLJTVKm7w

Ovie Iroro is another possibility.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocTYn7o5GTQ
He was raised in the UK so has the advantages of growing up with their facilities and mindset (racing is important to the British even without any major auto manufacturers involved), but does not get any backing due to lacking interest in Nigeria. No Nigerian or UK corporation will sponsor him. Shahin Nouri, being a dual-nationality racer, has an advantage with both the Lebenese, Swiss and Nigerian markets being open to him. Unlike Iroro, he doesn't have to compete in one of them with a hoard of more established names. Who knows what will happen in the future. I don't know if F1 in Nigeria could benefit Nigeria in the way that I imagine. Just having the sport doesn't mean that Nigerian-made supercars or high-efficiency vehicles will follow. But it's something to think about.

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