*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reopens the renovated Abuja International Conference Centre in the FCT, directing all the government Ministries, Departments and Agencies to pay for the use of the facility to ensure its upkeep and sustainability

Emmanuel Akosile | 绿帽献妻

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Tuesday, June 10, 2025, reopened the renovated Abuja International Conference Centre (ICC) in the FCT, as he directed all government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to pay for the use of the facility to ensure its upkeep and sustainability.

Speaking at the event Tuesday, in Abuja, Barr. Nyesom Wike, Honourable Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, also announced renaming the Centre, commissiomed in 1991, as the 鈥淏ola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre鈥�.

Recalling his previous visit to the Centre during the 2024 ECOWAS Parliament conference, President Tinubu recounted his shock at its poor state of the national facility.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who noted this in a statement Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 鈥巕uoted President Tinubu to have said: 听“When I attended the ECOWAS Parliament conference, the environment was dirty, disorganised, and uninhabitable.

鈥淚 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.’ 鈥�

The President stated: 鈥淭oday, I am very happy. The International Conference Centre is part of our country’s larger vision to become a hub for regional diplomacy, continental trade discussions, global partnerships, and other thoughtful, well-outlined goals that reflect our ‘Nigeria First’ principle.鈥�

The Nigerian leader also hailed Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the original contractor, for delivering a high-quality renovation.

The quality, he said, reflects what Julius Berger has been known for in the country for years.

The statement further indicated that under the Renewed Hope Agenda, President Tinubu assured Nigerians of his administration’s determination to revitalise infrastructure across key sectors, including transportation, healthcare, education, energy and urban development.

The President commended Wike, FCT Minister, for completing the renovation within a year after shutting the Centre for rehabilitation.

Applauding Wike for his vision and execution, President Tinubu further said: “Do not pay attention to the busybodies and bystanders.

鈥淲hatever they say, continue your good work. You are a transformational leader with foresight, vision, and determination.”

In his remarks at the event, Senate President Godswill Akpabio applauded the FCT Administration for naming halls at the Centre after the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Akpabio lauded the collaborative spirit between the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary under Tinubu’s leadership.

Commenting on the occasion, Wike said the FCT transformed the facility within eight months after the President’s directive.

The Minister stated: “Mr. President, this transformation would not have been possible without your leadership. Many Presidents have come here, but none said this was not what Nigeria needed because they lacked your courage and vision.鈥�

He also stressed the need for financial discipline in maintaining the newly upgraded facility.

Wike said: “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.

鈥淣o 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.鈥�

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre is among several capital projects scheduled for commissioning by President Tinubu in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of activities marking his second anniversary in office.

The FCT Administration is implementing the projects under Barr. Nyesom Wike’s leadership, the statement noted.

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