The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has defended the ₦39 billion spent on renovating the International Conference Centre in Abuja, describing the project as both comprehensive and necessary.Speaking on Friday during the commissioning of the newly completed Left-Hand Service Carriageway, Wike explained that everything within the facility was replaced during the renovation, except for the structural blockwork of the building.He noted that although the conference centre was originally constructed in 1991 for ₦240 million during the military administration of former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, the significant increase in the cost of goods and services over the years justified the ₦39 billion renovation.
On June 10, 2025, President Bola Tinubu commissioned the refurbished facility, which Wike subsequently renamed the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.The move sparked criticism from members of the opposition, including former federal lawmaker Shehu Sani, who argued that the centre should have been renamed after Babangida, under whose administration it was built. Others questioned the amount spent on the renovation, calling it excessive.In response, Wike dismissed the criticism, saying, “The only thing in that International Conference Centre that was not changed was the block work. Everything in that Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre was changed.”He added, “Those criticising the amount spent don’t have good taste.”
Source: https://punchng.com/
