Wike defends ₦39 billion conference centre renovation, citing Tinubu’s taste.
On Friday, Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), justified the ₦39 billion spent on renovating the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
The minister, speaking during the opening of the newly built Left-Hand Service Carriageway in the nation’s capital, stated that everything in the conference facility had been modified except for the block work.
Wike stated that the conference centre was built in 1991 during the military rule of former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida. However, due to changes in commodity prices, a total of ₦39 billion was spent on its refurbishment.
On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, President Bola Tinubu opened the rebuilt International Conference Centre, Abuja, which the FCT minister dedicated after him as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Some members of the opposition, including former federal senator Shehu Sani, subsequently criticised Wike’s decision, claiming that the conference centre should have been named after Babangida rather than Tinubu. Some others also thought that the money spent on restoring the conference centre was excessive.
On Friday, Wike said individuals who criticise the amount of money spent on the International Conference Centre’s refurbishment “don’t have good taste”.
“The only thing that hasn’t changed at the International Conference Centre is the block work. “Everything in that Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre has been changed,” the FCT minister stated in response to his opponents.Nigeria, as the Giant of Africa, must not only demonstrate that it is the Giant of Africa, but also explain why it is the Giant of Africa. Nobody who loves their country would criticise the International Conference Centre.
“They claimed we didn’t name the International Conference Centre after the person who created it. Nnamdi Azikwe did not build the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport. “Moshood Abiola did not build Moshood Abiola International Stadium,” he explained.
Wike criticised people who claimed the centre was created with ₦240m in 1991 and restored with ₦39bn in 2025. “What was the exchange rate in 1991?” he asked. “Compare the exchange rate to what we have in 2025.”
“We have taste; we want the best for the country, and the president has delivered.
“If you did not do well in defending your boss when you had the chance, that is your problem. I’m here, and I’ll protect my boss.
“I have done it and I have no regrets at all,” he declared, chastising those who thought the project was a misguided priority.