The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has officially renamed the Abuja International Conference Centre as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.
During the inauguration of the rehabilitated facility on Tuesday in Abuja, Wike also announced that other halls within the complex now bear the names of Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and Chief Justice of Nigeria Olukayode Ariwoola.
Explaining the decision, Wike said it was important to recognise those who have supported the FCT and acknowledged the roles played by the three arms of government.
“Today, this Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre can stand any other International Conference Centre,” Wike stated during the event. He noted that several halls have been named after the nation’s top leaders as a way to honour their contributions and cooperation.
The Minister credited the rapid completion of the project to President Tinubu’s leadership and said the facility had remained untouched since its original construction in 1991.
“Within eight months Mr President, this is what we have. And I agree that without your leadership, it wouldn’t have been possible,” Wike said.
He also emphasized the need to maintain the centre through a payment system. Ministries and agencies wishing to use the facility will now be required to pay a fee.
“How do we sustain this? I want to let everybody know, whether you’re a Ministry, whether you’re an agency, you want to use this, you have to pay something. That’s the only way it can be sustained. Nothing like my brother, my sister is going to have a wedding. If you want to use a place like this, such a beautiful place, then you must drop something,” he warned.
What you should know
The Abuja International Conference Centre has been renamed in honour of President Bola Tinubu after its first major renovation since 1991. The facility now includes halls named after key government officials, and all users must pay to access the centre for sustainability.
