When the electric engines of the E1 Lagos GP Water Championship roared and sliced through the breezy air on Lagos Lagoon at Ozumba Mbadiwe, you could tell it wasn’t just another sporting weekend, but the city that never sleeps in full technicolour, doing what it does best: turning everything into a vibe.
Set against the panoramic skyline of Victoria Island, the event wasn’t only about the futuristic RaceBirds zipping across the Lagoon. It was a full-blown cultural takeover—a heady cocktail of adrenaline, music, fashion, and flavour that reminded everyone why the city remains Africa’s ultimate lifestyle capital.
From the first splash on Thursday, when pilots tested their RaceBirds, through the opening ceremony on Friday, to the qualifying races on Saturday, and the final victory lap on Sunday, when Team Brazil claimed the title, the event pulsed with the energy only Lagos can supply.
The air buzzed with excitement, the water shimmered under the tropical sun, and from every corner came the sounds of Afrobeat, Amapiano, and homegrown hits that got everyone moving. Between races, DJs like Crowd Kontroller kept spirits high with fiery mixes of Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Asake, Tiwa Savage, and Tyla.
What could have been mere interludes became a spontaneous music festival, as fans, pilots, and influencers all surrendered to the rhythm blasting from the speakers that could deafen the ear. Every pause felt like December in Lagos had arrived early.
Fans of the sport, mostly Gen Z, turned the event into a catwalk of self-expression, blending streetwear cool and traditional flair. Many sashayed in Ankara bomber jackets, gele-inspired baseball caps, and bold sneakers strutting beside eco-chic pop-ups. Nigerian designers, both established and emerging, showcased their creativity in pop-up stalls that championed sustainability, perfectly mirroring the E1 GP’s green ethos.
“This is how Lagos does sports: energy, style, and soul,” remarked a cheerful guest flaunting Ankara streetwear, pausing between selfies and spoonfuls of jollof. The vibe was effortlessly authentic, as sustainability met swagger, and innovation flirted with culture.
According to Olayinka Ijabiyi, Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications FirstBank, the bank’s involvement is part of its First@Sports initiative, a strategic push to use sports as a platform for youth empowerment, tourism, and economic growth.
He said, “FirstBank is committed to boosting tourism and the economy in Nigeria. The First@Sports initiative is a strategic commitment to nurturing talent and unlocking the transformative potential of sports as a catalyst for youth empowerment.
“We are providing an experience of luxury and lifestyle on board our stunning boats, where cutting-edge engineering meets breathtaking design. We are transforming the Lagos coastline into a Vybe, fusing sports with the vibrant pulse of entertainment, fashion, and culture. We are hinging our participation in E1 Lagos GP on our annual DecemberIssaVybe (DIAV) campaign,” Ijabiyi elaborated.
For nearly a decade, DIAV has captured the essence of Nigerian December — the food, the fashion, the music, the togetherness — elevating it into a national celebration of creativity and connection.
In Lagos, no vibe is complete without food. The event transformed into a culinary carnival, with local chefs and food vendors serving everything from smoky party jollof to puff-puff, and seafood platters. Mocktails flowed as freely as the conversations, cooling the crowd under chic white canopies.
Beyond the glamour and the engines, what truly stood out was the sense of connection. Eco-entrepreneurs mingled with fans, and creators networked with athletes, Lagosians welcomed international visitors with the warmth and confidence that define the city’s spirit.
