Wike Renames Renovated Abuja International Conference Centre After Tinubu

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has renamed the newly renovated Abuja International Conference Centre in honour of President Bola Tinubu.

Originally built in 1991 during General Ibrahim Babangida’s administration, the conference centre has long served as a venue for high-level government functions, international meetings, exhibitions, and business events.

At the unveiling on Tuesday, Wike renamed the renovated building as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, stressing that the modern facility requires regular upkeep to maintain its new standard.

He also announced that several halls within the centre have been named after key figures in government, including House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

According to Wike, this gesture reflects unity among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

He said, “Since it is under you (Tinubu), the halls should bear smaller names. However, the main structure should remain the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.

“We have named one hall after Tajudeen Abbas, another after Godswill Akpabio, and one after the Vice President. We also named a hall after the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). This represents the three arms of government working together.”

Explaining the reason behind the renaming, Wike said it was important for Nigerians to know why the President deserved the recognition.

He recalled that during a visit last year to commission the ECOWAS Parliament at the venue, Tinubu had expressed disappointment with the state of the facility and asked for an upgrade.

Wike said, “This conference centre was built in 1991 under the military government. Since that time, nothing has happened to this International Conference Centre.

“Last year, you (Tinubu) came here to inaugurate the ECOWAS parliament. It was an embarrassment for a country to have this as the ICC and you said, ‘How can we have this as the ICC?’ That shows leadership.

“You said next time you come here, you want to see a different International Conference Centre.

“Within eight months Mr President, this is what we have. Without your leadership, it wouldn’t have been possible.”

Back in March, Wike disclosed that the total cost of the renovation project was N39 billion.

Meanwhile, Chess champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, visited President Bola Tinubu to present his Guinness World Record certificate for the longest chess marathon.