Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa, filmmaker Bolanle Austen-Peters, comedian Gbenga Adeyinka and actor Segun Arinze were among creatives who graced the E1 Lagos Grand Prix, which held over the weekend at the Oriental Hotel waterfront, Victoria Island.
The three-day event, which began with an opening ceremony on Friday and concluded on Sunday, made history as the first E1 electric powerboat race in Africa.
The Lagos Grand Prix, part of the global UIM E1 World Championship, showcased a blend of sport, lifestyle and innovation, with Lagos joining cities such as Jeddah, Venice and Monaco on the racing calendar.
The final day of the event turned into a meeting point for creatives and sports lovers. Musician Wyclef Jean and football legend Didier Drogba, who owns one of the teams, were among the international stars in attendance.
Former BBNaija housemates Chinwe, Prince and actor Michael Ejoor also joined fans who came out in style, some with creative face paintings and bold fashion statements that matched the lively waterfront atmosphere.
In an interview with QEDNG, Chinwe expressed pride in Nigeria hosting the first E1 race in Africa. She said she felt “really proud of Nigeria” and that hosting the first E1 race on the continent shows “why we are the giants of Africa.”
She added, “It’s good to see corporate organisations come together for events like this. It shows we can be corporate and still have the best time. Shout out to FirstBank.”
Actor Michael Ejoor, known for his role as Officer Onome in To Kill a Monkey, also praised the innovation behind the race. “Innovation! I love innovation,” he said. “There’s something special about being the first to do it. There’s nothing the entertainment industry cannot merge with – we’ll always find a way.”
Adding glamour to the weekend were international and national beauty queens who arrived in Lagos for the E1 Championship Fashion Showcase X Experience Lagos 2025 VIP Humanitourism Campaign, which ran alongside the race.
Their presence was part of a collaborative effort to promote environmental awareness, tourism and cultural exchange, blending beauty and advocacy with the E1’s sustainability mission. The queens also participated in fashion showcases and humanitarian engagements that highlighted Lagos as a global hub for creativity and innovation.
FirstBank of Nigeria was not a passive backer, it was the Presenting Partner of the E1 Lagos Grand Prix. At the E1 Lagos GP stakeholder session in Lagos, Acting Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, Olayinka Ijabiyi, had explained that the partnership aligns with FirstBank’s legacy of innovation, sustainability and national development.
He said the bank saw the event as an opportunity to showcase Lagos as a capable host for world-class, sustainable sporting, tourism and lifestyle experiences. Ijabiyi added that FirstBank is leveraging its long-standing First@Sports initiative, which has supported numerous legacy sporting events, as well as its DecemberIssaVybe campaign, which celebrates culture, entertainment and the Lagos lifestyle during the festive season.
After a brief delay caused by a tropical storm, Team Brazil, led by pilots Timmy Hansen and Ieva Millere-Hagin, emerged winners after defeating Team Blue Rising and Team Drogba in the final. The team’s victory earned them 38 points in Lagos, bringing their season total to 89. The event also featured other celebrity-backed teams, including Team Rafa (owned by Rafael Nadal), Team Brady (Tom Brady) and Team Kohli (Virat Kohli).
As the night drew, a live DJ kept guests entertained as winners were brought on stage to receive their trophies amid cheers from the crowd.
With the Lagos Grand Prix over, attention now shifts to Miami, where the E1 season will conclude later this year.
