Wike defends the ₦39 billion upgrade of Abuja’s conference centre, saying it was needed to meet global standards.
He blames rising costs and the weak naira for the high price and says critics do not understand the bigger picture.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has strongly defended the ₦39 billion renovation cost of Abuja’s International Conference Centre (ICC), describing the project as a thorough and necessary transformation to elevate the venue to international standards.
Wike made these remarks on Friday in Abuja during the commissioning of the newly completed Left-Hand Service Carriageway. Addressing public criticism over the cost of the refurbishment, he maintained that the work carried out on the conference facility was not only essential but also comprehensive.
Except for the building’s original structural framework, the minister claimed that almost every element of the conference center now known as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, had been renovated. He argued that the scale and quality of the renovation justify the cost, particularly when compared to the facility’s original construction in 1991, which cost ₦240 million under the military government led by General Ibrahim Babangida.
“Critics of this project clearly lack good taste,” Wike remarked. “The only thing that remained was the block work. Everything else was completely changed. What we’ve done is a total transformation that reflects Nigeria’s pride and status as the Giant of Africa.”
He further addressed those questioning the drastic difference in costs between 1991 and 2025. Drawing attention to economic shifts, Wike pointed out the significant depreciation in the naira’s value and the rising cost of construction materials over the decades.
“Those saying it cost ₦240 million in 1991 and ₦39 billion in 2025 should consider the exchange rate back then and compare it with today. Times have changed, and so have the economic realities,” he said.
Wike emphasized that the aim was to modernize the conference center, making it a facility capable of hosting high-profile international events. He argued that if Nigeria intends to uphold its reputation on the global stage, then its infrastructure must be upgraded to match international standards.
“We say we are the Giant of Africa, but we must show it through the quality of our infrastructure,” he noted. “Anyone who truly loves this country will not fault this renovation.”
The minister also took time to respond to the backlash over renaming the center after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu instead of its original builder. He dismissed the argument by referencing other national landmarks that bear the names of notable figures who were not directly involved in their construction.
“Some say we should have named it after the original builder. But was Nnamdi Azikiwe the one who built the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport? Was Moshood Abiola the one who built the Moshood Abiola Stadium?” Wike asked rhetorically.
He insisted that the renaming was not only appropriate but also a tribute to President Tinubu’s leadership, aligning with the broader vision of national unity and progress.
The International Conference Centre in Abuja, long considered one of Nigeria’s premier event venues, had in recent years shown signs of wear and declining standards. Wike reiterated that the renovation was timely and would allow Nigeria to better compete with other African nations that have upgraded their public infrastructure.
As criticism over the project cost continues to circulate, the FCT Minister remains resolute in his stance. For Wike, the ₦39 billion price tag represents not excess, but an investment in national pride, international relevance, and long-term utility.
