By Sarah NEGEDU
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has renamed the Abuja International Conference Centre after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following the completion of rehabilitation works on the once-dilapidated facility.
Now called the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, the newky renovated edifice was commissioned on Tuesday, during a formal ceremony attended by the President, who first raised concerns about the poor state of the centre during an ECOWAS event in December 2023.
Wike said the decision to rename the centre was in recognition of President Tinubu’s leadership and resolve to overhaul key national infrastructure, including the ICC which had been left to rot since it was built in 1991.
According to Wike, “This Conference was built in 1991 under the military government. Since that time, nothing has happened to this international conference center. Last year sometime during December, you came here to inaugurate the ECOWAS Parliament and you said how can we have this as an International Conference Centre. You said, the nwxt time you come here you want to see a different international Conference Centre. Within 8 months Mr. President, this is what we have
“Today, this Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre can match any other international conference centre.”
The President, visibly impressed by the transformation, described the rehabilitation as part of his administration’s broader vision to restore Nigeria’s image and modernise public infrastructure through the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“When I attended the conference of ECOWAS Parliament here, it was a very dirty, disorganised, uninhabitable environment. Aside from the sidetalk I had with the Senate President, I turned to Wike and said this conference centre is not reflecting who we are. Have we sunk this low? He said no but bear with us, we will do whatever we can do to transform the place. You won’t come back to find it in a dilapidated state and today I am very happy.”
While commending Wike for being a “transformational leader” with the foresight and courage to deliver under pressure, the president advised him not to be distracted by busybodies.
“Don’t pay attention to the busybodies and bystanders. Whatever they say, continue to do your good work. You have the vision and the determination to succeed,” Tinubu said.
The President further linked the upgraded centre to his administration’s long-term goal of making Nigeria a hub for diplomacy, trade, and global partnerships.
“The International Conference Centre is part of our country’s larger vision to become a hub for regional diplomacy, continental trade discussions, and global partnerships… This reflects our ‘Nigeria First’ mindset,” he said.
Meanwhile, the minister also disclosed that the halls within the complex had been renamed after top government officials including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, in recognition of their support to the FCT.
The minister, however, warned that use of the centre will no longer be free, even for government institutions.
“Whether you’re a ministry or agency, you have to pay something. That’s the only way it can be sustained. Nothing like ‘my brother, my sister is going to have a wedding,’” Wike said.
