Tinubu Commissions Renovated Abuja Conference Centre Now Renamed in His Honour

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday officially commissioned the renovated Abuja International Conference Centre, which has now been renamed in his honour as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.

The event held in the Federal Capital Territory drew attendance from top government dignitaries, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other senior officials.

Originally built in 1991 under the Babangida military regime, the facility had suffered decades of neglect before undergoing a recent facelift. The newly unveiled structure is being positioned as a premier venue for national and international events.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Nyesom Wike defended the decision to rename the iconic venue after President Tinubu, tying it to the president’s direct intervention and leadership in the renovation effort.

“This conference centre was built in 1991 under the military government. Since that time, nothing has happened to it,” Wike said.
“When Mr President visited last year for the ECOWAS Parliament session, he expressed disappointment and ordered a full renovation. Today, we are standing in a completely transformed venue.”

Wike emphasized that despite previous administrations visiting the site, no meaningful upgrades were initiated until Tinubu demanded action, calling it a sign of true leadership.

A Controversial N39 Billion Price Tag

The renovation has not been without controversy. Earlier in March, Wike revealed the cost of the project to be N39 billion, drawing sharp public criticism in a time of economic hardship and soaring inflation.

However, at the commissioning event, Wike once again defended the figure, insisting that the project was justified by its significance to Nigeria’s image on the global stage.

“The total cost is N39 billion, not N39 million,” he clarified.
“But what is the essence of Nigeria being the largest nation in Africa if we cannot have a befitting international conference centre?”

He also confirmed that the project was handled by Julius Berger and had reached 80% completion before handover, with all materials sourced and available onsite.

The newly christened Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre is now being positioned to rival other international venues, aiming to host major global events and restore Abuja’s prestige as a diplomatic hub.

According to the 9am News report, the symbolic renaming and rapid upgrade reflect Tinubu’s broader governance strategy—linking leadership presence to infrastructure revival.

As public debate continues over the project’s cost and political symbolism, what remains clear is the renewed attention to national monuments and the strategic use of branding by the Tinubu administration.

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