By John Moses
Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced the renaming of the Abuja International Conference Centre in honour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The declaration was made on Tuesday during the unveiling ceremony of the refurbished facility, coinciding with the president’s second year in office.
The newly upgraded venue will now be known as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.
Wike also revealed that key halls within the centre have been named after other prominent national leaders, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. According to the minister, the gesture reflects appreciation for their support and demonstrates a spirit of collaboration between Nigeria’s Executive, Judiciary, and Legislature.
Built in 1991, the conference centre had reportedly not undergone any major refurbishment since its construction. Wike credited President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” with catalysing the decision to rehabilitate the centre.
“Under the president’s directive, we have transformed a neglected structure into a world-class facility,” Wike said. “It is now comparable to any international conference venue globally.”
Wike stressed the importance of maintaining the facility through paid usage, even by government ministries and agencies. “Everyone, including public institutions and private individuals, will be required to pay a fee to use the facility. That is the only way we can ensure it remains in excellent condition,” he added.
He also disclosed that the centre had been previously mismanaged by a political appointee, leading to its decline. Legal battles ensued when the FCT administration moved to reclaim the facility for renovation.
President Tinubu praised the transformation, recalling his previous visit for the ECOWAS Parliament when the centre was in poor condition. “It was unkempt and unworthy of a nation like Nigeria,” he said. “But today, I’m proud to see it restored as a symbol of our identity and capacity.”
Describing Wike as a “transformational leader,” Tinubu encouraged him to disregard critics and continue his work.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also commended the minister’s commitment to execution, saying, “We approve the budgets and you deliver results. That’s what matters.”
The centre, originally constructed by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC for the 1991 Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Summit, remains a key venue for state events, diplomatic meetings, and major conferences.
