On Friday, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), defended the ₦39 billion spent on the renovation of the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja.
Speaking at the commissioning of the newly constructed Left-Hand Service Carriageway, Wike stated that “everything in that Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre was changed” except the block work itself.
He acknowledged that the original conference center was built for ₦240 million in 1991 during Ibrahim Babangida’s military regime.
However, he argued that commodity prices have significantly changed since then, justifying the ₦39 billion renovation cost in 2025.
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On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the refurbished ICC, which Wike had renamed the “Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.”
This decision drew criticism from some opposition members, including former federal lawmaker Shehu Sani, who argued it should have been renamed after Babangida.
Concerns were also raised about the “outrageous” amount spent on the rehabilitation.
Wike, on Friday, dismissed those criticizing the renovation cost, saying they “don’t have good taste.”
“The only thing in that International Conference Centre that was not changed is just the block work. Everything in that Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre was changed,” the FCT minister stated directly to his critics.
“Nigeria as the Giant of Africa must not only show that it is the Giant of Africa; people must see what makes you to be the Giant of Africa. Nobody who loves this country would criticise the International Conference Centre.”
He also addressed the renaming controversy, noting, “They said we did not name the International Conference Centre after someone who built it. Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport was not built by Nnamdi Azikwe. Moshood Abiola International Stadium was not built by Moshood Abiola.”
Furthermore, Wike rebuked those who compared the ₦240 million building cost in 1991 to the ₦39 billion renovation cost in 2025, questioning, “What was the exchange rate in 1991? Compare the exchange rate to what we have in 2025.”
He affirmed, “We have taste, we want the best for the country and the president has given the best for the country.”
Wike concluded by stating his unwavering loyalty: “If you did not do well to defend your boss when you have the opportunity, it is your business. I am here and I will defend my boss. I have done it and I have no regret at all,” while also criticizing those who deemed the project a misplaced priority.
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