Meet the Swiss-born racer representing Nigeria in motor sport

The Nigerian spirit is infectious or how else would you explain someone who wasn't born in our dear country ending up being in love with a nation that has more than its fair share of struggles.


Despite the challenges facing the nation, a lot of foreigners come into this country annually and settle here. For some reason, the Nigerian spirit gels with them. Some even go further by waving the green and white green flag by representing Nigeria globally.

One of such people is Swiss-born Shahin Nouri, a car racer who represents Nigeria in the world of motorsport.

Nouri who has settled permanently in Nigeria since 2009 with his family started representing Nigeria this year. Before then he had been visiting Nigeria since 2003.

He met his wife Tatiana Moussalli who hails from Lagos in 2001. She is the daughter of the GMD of Cool FM, Wazobia FM, Cool TV and Wazobia TV.

"I moved in 2009 to come and work here as she decided to come back," Nouri told National Daily Newspaper in January 2016. "The first two years due to noise level everywhere, compared to the quietness of Switzerland. Other than that, it has been fantastic as we are living in an emerging market with tremendous growth and great people" he also revealed.

For Shahin Nouri, his decision to represent Nigeria is because of his great love for the country. "To promote Nigeria and to prove to the world that it is a great Country. I am proud to live in Nigeria. My wife and in-laws are Nigerians. And my kids are growing up here. Pidgin is their 3rd language."

The Swiss-Nigerian entered the history books in August 2016, after winning a motor sport event, the Lamborghini Super Trofeo in Belgium. For the first time, the Nigerian national anthem was played at a motor sporting event.

Repping Naija in a green and black Lamborghini and sponsored by Cool FM, Wazobia FM, Cool TV and Wazobia TV, Nouri is presently second in this year's Lamborghini Super Trofeo championship. The last round will be in Valencia in December.

God, willing Shahin Nouri will be the first Nigerian to win the Super Trofeo championship.