Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre Unveiled In Abuja.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has officially renamed the Abuja International Conference Centre (AICC) as the “Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.” The announcement was made during the inauguration of the newly refurbished facility on Tuesday, marking a key highlight of the celebrations for President Tinubu’s second year in office.
The renaming and commissioning ceremony, attended by prominent figures including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Ministers Wale Edun (Finance and Economy) and Lateef Fagbemi (Justice), underscored the transformative strides made under Tinubu’s administration. The once-dilapidated conference centre, originally built in 1991 under the Ibrahim Babangida regime, had seen little to no significant upgrades until recently. Minister Wike highlighted the deplorable state of the facility during President Tinubu’s visit last year for the ECOWAS Parliament inauguration, recalling the president’s dismay and subsequent directive for a complete overhaul.
“President Tinubu’s leadership has transformed this edifice into a world-class venue, a testament to Nigeria’s status as the giant of Africa,” Wike declared during the event. He further noted that the revamped centre now stands shoulder to shoulder with other international conference facilities, a point echoed by the president himself. Tinubu praised Wike’s commitment, describing him as a “transformational leader” with the “foresight and determination to succeed.”
The refurbishment, completed within eight months, reflects the administration’s focus on infrastructural renewal and regional diplomacy. Tinubu emphasised that the upgraded centre symbolises Nigeria’s commitment to hosting key diplomatic, trade, and global engagements. “You must obey what the landlord says: if you want to use this place, you’ve got to pay for it,” the president quipped, alluding to Wike’s earlier statement that usage of the halls would now attract fees.
In a nod to the collaborative spirit of governance, Wike also named some of the centre’s halls after Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas. The minister explained that this gesture acknowledges their support for the FCT Administration and highlights the cordial relationship among the executive, judiciary, and legislative arms of government.
President Tinubu urged Wike to remain undeterred by critics, saying, “Don’t pay attention to the busybodies and bystanders. Continue to do your good work.” The event marks the beginning of a 10-day project commissioning marathon across the FCT, with the president personally inaugurating 10 major infrastructure projects, while the vice president, Senate president, and Speaker will represent him in commissioning three, two, and two projects, respectively.
The Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre now stands as a beacon of national pride, poised to host world-class events and reinforce Nigeria’s position on the global stage.