Sport
The Lagos E1 Success: How Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and His Tourism Team Put Lagos on the Global Map
Lagos made history as the first African city to host the E1 Electric Powerboat Championship, thanks to Sanwo-Olu’s vision for green tourism and innovation
By seun oloketuyi
In October 2025, Lagos did not just host an event — it made history. The city’s bustling waterways, vibrant skyline, and unmatched energy came alive as the world’s first all-electric powerboat championship — the E1 Grand Prix — docked on African shores for the very first time.
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From Venice to Jeddah, Monaco to Rotterdam, the E1 Championship has captured imaginations across continents, but its Lagos edition redefined what it means for Africa to take center stage in global sustainability and sports innovation.
For two unforgettable days, the Five Cowries Creek transformed into a spectacle of speed, sustainability, and celebration.
Thousands of spectators, tourists, and media professionals from across the world converged on Victoria Island to witness Lagos showcase itself not just as Nigeria’s commercial capital, but as a global city of creativity, technology, and green progress.
The Lagos E1 Grand Prix was not only a race — it was a statement of intent.
Vision and Leadership
Behind this success stands the visionary leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, whose unwavering commitment to positioning Lagos as Africa’s leading destination for sustainable tourism and innovation made the event possible.
Through strategic partnerships, long-term planning, and a forward-thinking tourism policy, Sanwo-Olu and his team turned an ambitious idea into a continental milestone.
The Lagos E1 project aligns seamlessly with the state’s broader “THEMES+” development agenda — particularly in Transportation, Entertainment & Tourism, and Sustainability.
By bringing the world’s first all-electric boat race to Africa, Lagos signaled its readiness to embrace the future of mobility and green technology, while also affirming its place as a global city for culture, entertainment, and investment.
Collaboration That Delivered
The success of the event was also the result of a deeply collaborative effort. The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, under the leadership of Commissioner Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, worked hand in hand with other agencies including the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), and the Lagos State Safety Commission.
Together, they ensured the event’s logistics, environmental management, and security met world-class standards.
From early preparations through to execution, the tourism team’s focus was clear: to present Lagos as a city that can deliver global-scale experiences while maintaining its local authenticity.
The event’s environmental design — anchored on electric-powered boats and a zero-emission philosophy — mirrored Lagos’ growing emphasis on sustainability and blue economy development.
It was also a showcase of Nigeria’s capacity to host major international events without compromising safety or quality.
Putting Lagos on the Global Map
The E1 Lagos Grand Prix generated unprecedented global attention. Major international media outlets featured Lagos prominently, while social media platforms buzzed with awe-inspiring images of the city’s waterfront, skyline, and cultural vibrancy.
Celebrities, investors, and sports enthusiasts from different continents shared in the Lagos experience, helping to amplify the city’s profile as a must-visit destination for tourism, leisure, and business.
For local entrepreneurs, artisans, and creative professionals, the event created fresh opportunities. Hotels, restaurants, and transport operators recorded significant business spikes.
The city’s creative economy — from fashion to film, photography to music — found new exposure as global brands engaged with Lagos’ youthful energy.
A Legacy of Sustainability and Innovation
More than a sporting event, the E1 Championship in Lagos underscored a powerful message: that Africa can lead in the global transition toward clean energy and sustainable transport.
The electric powerboats that raced across the Lagos Lagoon represented a new horizon for marine technology — one that aligns perfectly with Lagos State’s drive to modernize water transport and reduce carbon emissions.
By hosting E1, Lagos didn’t just participate in a world-class event; it became a symbol of transformation — a city embracing innovation to preserve its environment, empower its people, and inspire the continent.
A New Chapter for Lagos Tourism
With the success of E1, Lagos has once again proven that it can compete with global destinations. The event joins the growing list of world-class experiences — from fashion and film to music and tech — that now define the Lagos story.
For Governor Sanwo-Olu and his team, this milestone reaffirms their commitment to a vision of Lagos that is open, dynamic, and globally connected.
The E1 Lagos Grand Prix has left a legacy — not just in the water trails of the RaceBirds, but in the renewed confidence that Lagos can dream big, act boldly, and deliver exceptionally.
In the words of Governor Sanwo-Olu, “Lagos is a city built for the future. The E1 success is proof that when we match our ambition with action, the world will always look our way.”
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Indeed, Lagos looked to the waters — and found the world looking back in admiration.
How Sanwo-Olu Put Lagos on the Global Map with E1
By Tai Emeka Obasi,
It is exceedingly terrible for clubs operating in a league as supremely elite as the English Premier League, EPL, to fraudulently cheat themselves to massive success.
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Rules are rules, and supposedly responsible club managements should comply with them in administering a game termed the beautiful game.
Manchester City is currently in the eye of the storm for all the wrong reasons.
A whopping 115 breaches were brought against the club, with reports now indicating that an independent commission found City guilty of 114 of them.
The club, however, maintains that the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements still to be completed and subject to strict confidentiality.
Manchester City chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, has appealed to the fans to remain calm and faithful, insisting that the club will continue to defend its position and pursue the available legal process.
According to reports, Manchester City is expected to appeal the verdict. The sanctions have not yet been announced, and the possible consequences could include a heavy fine, points deduction, stripping of titles or even relegation.
From the available reporting, however, there is no basis for football fans to start celebrating the prospect of receiving Manchester City’s trophies.
Even if titles were eventually stripped, the relevant period under investigation is 2009 to 2018.
During that period, Manchester City won three Premier League titles, in 2011/12, 2013/14 and 2017/18, as well as three League Cups, in 2013/14, 2015/16 and 2017/18.
That immediately puts a different complexion on the matter.
For instance, Manchester United finished runners-up to City in the 2011/12 and 2017/18 Premier League seasons, while Liverpool finished second in 2013/14.
But whether those titles would actually be reassigned to the runners-up is another matter entirely.
There is no automatic rule that says a stripped title simply moves to the team that finished second. Any such outcome would depend on the eventual sanction imposed by the relevant authorities.
The same applies to Arsenal and the League Cup. Arsenal were beaten by City in the 2018 final, but that does not mean Arsenal would automatically inherit the trophy if City were sanctioned.
Expert opinion has suggested that the eventual punishment could include a substantial financial penalty and a huge points deduction, potentially severe enough to threaten City with relegation.
But until the sanction is formally determined, nobody can say with certainty what punishment Manchester City will receive.
For Gunners fans, therefore, we should lower our expectations from City’s debacle. Even if Manchester City are eventually found guilty after the appeal process and even if they are relegated, Arsenal will not stroll to this season’s title.
Our last match against Brighton and Hove Albion is a huge warning that our squad is not as complete as it is generally acclaimed to be.
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Like we did last season, Arsenal must win the title on the pitch, not wait for Manchester City to lose it in the courtroom.
That is the real lesson.
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