The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has praised the Lagos State Government for transforming the state into a global sports hub, following its successful hosting of the E1 Electric Boat Racing Championship—the first-ever event of its kind in Africa.

The groundbreaking championship, held over the weekend, now places Lagos among an elite list of international cities—including Monaco, London, Jeddah, and Venice—that have hosted the prestigious E1 series, a revolutionary electric boat racing competition aimed at combining sustainability with high-performance sport.

“Lagos State is really setting the pace and living up to its status as Nigeria’s foremost commercial city in sports development,” said Olopade. “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu must truly be commended for his visionary, dynamic, and corporate-centric leadership.”

The E1 event adds to a string of high-profile international sporting events Lagos has hosted in 2025, including the Access Bank Lagos International Marathon, the Lagos International Badminton Classic, and the “Chaos in the Ring” boxing showcase.

Hon. Olopade noted that such consistency in attracting global sporting events is a result of deliberate planning and investment by the state government.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu is a leader who understands the pivotal role sports play in the sociocultural and economic growth of a state,” Olopade added. “The NSC will continue to support all states willing to follow this path and contribute to the national vision for sports.”

Olopade emphasized that the National Sports Commission is fully aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate to build a sustainable sports economy, where sports not only entertain but also create jobs, attract investment, and drive tourism.

“President Tinubu has given us a clear directive to build a thriving sports economy. Hosting global events like the E1 Championship is a major step in the right direction—and Lagos has once again shown how it can be done.”

As Lagos continues to break new ground in the sports arena, stakeholders across Nigeria are being encouraged to emulate the state’s model of integrating sports with innovation, urban planning, and economic development.