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ABUJA,Nigeria - The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the Abuja International Conference Centre will now be known as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.
This announcement coincided with President Tinubu's reopening of the renovated facility on Tuesday, where he instructed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to pay for its usage to guarantee its maintenance and sustainability in the long term.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday, titled ‘Abuja International Conference Centre Renamed In President Tinubu’s Honour, As He Mandates Payment For Its Use.’
Reflecting on his earlier visit to the Centre during the ECOWAS Parliament conference in April 2024, the President expressed his astonishment at the facility's run-down condition.
“When I attended the ECOWAS Parliament conference, the environment was filthy, disorganized, and uninhabitable. I turned to Mr. Wike and remarked, ‘This Conference Centre does not represent who we are.
Have we really fallen this low?’ He responded, ‘No, please be patient. We will do everything we can to improve the place.’ Today, I am extremely pleased.
“The International Conference Centre is integral to our nation’s broader vision of becoming a center for regional diplomacy, continental trade discussions, global partnerships, and other well-articulated goals that embody our ‘Nigeria First’ principle,” Tinubu expressed.
He commended Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, the original contractor, for executing a top-quality renovation, highlighting the company's longstanding reputation in the country.
Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, Tinubu reassured Nigerians of his administration's commitment to rejuvenating infrastructure across critical sectors, such as transportation, healthcare, education, energy, and urban development.
He praised Wike for completing the renovations within one year of the centre’s closure, noting: “Do not heed the distractions from the critics and onlookers. Regardless of what they say, keep up your excellent work. You are a transformative leader with vision, foresight, and resolve.”
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, praised the FCT Administration for naming various halls in the centre after prominent figures, including the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
He applauded the collaborative spirit existing among the executive, legislature, and judiciary under President Tinubu’s guidance.
Wike stated that the FCT accomplished the transformation of the facility within eight months following the President's directive.
“Mr. President, this transformation wouldn’t have been achievable without your leadership. Many other presidents have visited here, but none had the courage or vision to recognize what Nigeria truly needed,” he noted.
Wike emphasized the importance of financial discipline in maintaining the newly renovated facility.
“Whether you belong to a ministry or an agency, you must contribute something to use this facility. This is the only way we can ensure its sustainability. There will be no exceptions for ‘my brother’ or ‘my sister’ wanting to use it for a wedding. If you wish to utilize such a beautiful place as this, you must be willing to pay,” he asserted.
The Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre is one of several capital projects set to be inaugurated by the President, marking his second anniversary in office.
