First Bank Celebrates Sporting Heritage As E1 Lagos GP Leaves Lasting Impression

Excited with the remarkable conclusion of the inaugural E1 Lagos Grand Prix, First Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to driving sporting innovation and continuing its legacy of support that strengthens the fabric of Nigeria’s vibrant sports community.

Powered by First Bank of Nigeria Limited, the first E1 Lagos GP, an all-electric powerboat racing championship, marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s sporting landscape and is being seen in sports circle as another first on the card of the Nigeria’s leading bank.

Team Brazil emerging as champions of the groundbreaking event. The team clinched the title with an impressive 38 points, outperforming Team Blue Rising, which secured second place, while Team Drogba came in third.

Olayinka Ijabiyi, the acting group head of marketing and corporate communications at First Bank, articulated the bank’s commitment to the E1 Lagos GP, emphasising that the partnership aligns perfectly with the bank’s core values of sustainability and innovation.
He described the bank’s support for the electric power boat race as another testament of FirstBank’s enduring investment in sports and sustainable initiatives.

“A lot of people would ask why First Bank threw its weight behind the E1 Lagos GP, the first of this kind in Africa.

The reason is rooted in ideals such as innovation, sustainability and excitement. We are a heritage bank and have been around for 131 years and for each year, we have constantly rebuilt ourselves and remain relevant.

And who will bring the first electric motor power boat race to Lagos other than First Bank. It has to be First Bank. With E1 Lagos GP we have presented Lagos to the world, presented Nigeria to the world and presented First Bank to the world,” Ijabiyi stated.

Among the distinguished guests at the event were Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and former Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba, both of whom contributed to the vibrant atmosphere surrounding the race.

Ijabiyi expressed pride in First Bank’s ongoing support for sports, highlighting a rich history of engagement in various sporting events. “When you take a look at legacy, we’ve supported some sporting events for over 100 years. We have a female basketball team, a male football team, and many more,” he noted. “These demonstrate that we have always been active in the sports sector. We are, indeed, a strong sporting brand.”

The Founder and CEO of E1,
Rodi Basso, described the hospitality and reception in Lagos as “warm,” saying the event has unlocked economic potential for the state.

“The warm welcome we have received in Lagos has been incredible. The people and passion of Nigeria have made this historic E1 Lagos GP, presented by FirstBank, possible, and I feel a great sense of pride that we have made racing here a reality.

“Our ambition is to build a motorsport legacy in Africa. This weekend’s race is just the beginning, and today’s qualifying sessions have provided a thrilling taste of what’s to come on race day tomorrow,” he said.