The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has officially renamed the historic Abuja International Conference Centre to the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre. The change was announced by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike during Tuesday’s reopening ceremony, presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
The Centre, originally built in 1991, had fallen into disrepair so much so that the President described it as “dirty, disorganised, and uninhabitable” during the April 2024 ECOWAS Parliament visit. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the FCTA engaged Julius Berger Nigeria PLC to rehabilitate the ₦39 billion facility, completing the work within eight months.
At the ceremony, President Tinubu emphasised the Centre’s role in advancing Nigeria’s global ambitions, stating it should function as a hub for diplomacy, continental trade, and global partnerships a reflection of the “Nigeria First” principle. He also commended Wike for his leadership and dismissed critics, urging him to “continue your good work”.
To reinforce sustainability, President Tinubu directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to begin paying for the use of the facility, ending decades of free access even for personal events like weddings. Wike echoed the directive, stressing it as essential for the Centre’s long-term maintenance and upkeep.
The relaunch also saw halls within the Centre named after key national figures: Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and Chief Justice Kekere-Ekun symbolising unity among Nigeria’s three government arms.
This renaming and operational shift mark a significant step in President Tinubu’s infrastructure drive and financial discipline push ahead of his second anniversary in office. A previously neglected flagship venue has now been revitalised and its future secured through sustainable funding practices.
