President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday officially reopened the newly renovated Abuja International Conference Centre, directing all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to pay for the use of the facility to ensure its proper maintenance and long-term sustainability.
During the reopening ceremony in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike announced that the iconic venue—originally opened in 1991—has been renamed the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in honour of the President.
Recalling his last visit to the Centre during the 2024 ECOWAS Parliament conference, President Tinubu described his disappointment at the venue’s previous condition.
“When I attended the ECOWAS Parliament conference, the environment was dirty, disorganised, and uninhabitable,” Tinubu said. “I turned to Mr. Wike and said, ‘This Conference Centre does not reflect who we are. Have we sunk this low?’ He replied, ‘No, bear with us. We will do whatever we can to transform the place.’ Today, I am very happy.”
Highlighting the strategic importance of the facility, Tinubu noted that the upgraded Centre plays a vital role in Nigeria’s aspiration to be 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, reflecting our ‘Nigeria First’ principle,” he stated.
Under his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the President reaffirmed a strong commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s infrastructure across key sectors, including transportation, healthcare, education, energy, and urban development.
He also praised Minister Wike for his leadership and commitment to transforming the FCT.
“Do not pay attention to the busybodies and bystanders,” Tinubu said. “Whatever they say, continue your good work. You are a transformational leader with foresight, vision, and determination.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also applauded the transformation and noted the symbolic renaming of various halls in the Centre after key leaders, including the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
“Mr. President, this transformation would not have been possible without your leadership. Many presidents have come here, but none had the courage and vision to say this was not what Nigeria needed,” Akpabio remarked.
He also emphasized the need for financial discipline in maintaining the Centre, saying:“Whether you are a ministry or an agency, you must pay something to use this facility. That is the only way we can sustain it. No such thing as ‘my brother’ or ‘my sister’ wants to use it for a wedding. If you want to use a beautiful place like this, you must pay something.”
The newly renamed Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre is among several major capital projects slated for commissioning as part of events marking President Tinubu’s second year in office.
Reporting by Abdullah Bello and Tersoo Zamber