Tinubu Commissions Renovated ₦39b ICC, Lauds Wike’s Transformational Leadership

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has commissioned the newly renovated International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja as part of the 17 landmark projects lined up to commemorate his second year in office.

The ultra-modern facility, upgraded at a cost of ₦39 billion, is poised to serve as a hub for regional diplomacy, global conferences, and national policy dialogues.

Speaking at the grand commissioning ceremony, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda,targeting infrastructural transformation, healthcare reforms, transportation upgrades, and comprehensive urban development across Nigeria.

“I am greatly honoured to reopen this International Conference Centre.It reflects our determination to rebuild our nation’s image”.

“We are a people of character, of vision, and of great spirit. This facility now mirrors who we are, and I am glad that you, Nyesom Wike, have embodied that same spirit”.

“You are a transformational leader. Stay focused and disregard the distractions of busybodies and bystanders.” Tinubu said.

Recalling a previous visit to the ICC during an ECOWAS Parliament session, President Tinubu expressed his dismay at the state of disrepair at that time.

“The environment was dirty, disorganised, and unbefitting.I turned to Wike and said, ‘Have we sunk this low?’ He assured me change was coming, and today, we see the result.”

“This renovation is not just about buildings, it’s about restoring national pride, renewing hope, and reimaging what Nigeria can become.”

Highlighting the centre’s strategic importance, the President described it as “a key piece in our broader vision to position Nigeria as a continental hub for diplomacy, trade, and innovation.”

He added that sustainable infrastructure is the backbone of any thriving economy and progressive society.

President Tinubu also endorsed the FCT Administration’s new policy that mandates payment for the use of the facility by all, regardless of status.

“You must obey the landlord. If you want to use this place, you must pay. That’s the only way we can maintain its world-class status.”

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who spoke at the event, recounted the shameful state of the International Conference Centre when West African lawmakers visited last year.

“It was a monumental embarrassment,” Akpabio said. “We barely managed to power a small generator. The place was in total disrepair. But right there, Wike made a vow, and today, he has fulfilled it.”

He praised the FCT Minister’s commitment, saying, “This renovation is a metaphor for what we are bringing to Nigeria, whether some people like it or not. We in the Parliament are proud that we approve budgets and you execute them with purpose and vision.”

Akpabio further lauded the symbolic decision to rename the facility after President Tinubu, now officially the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.

He also noted that halls within the complex have been named after key figures in Nigeria’s government, including the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, highlighting the unity among the three arms of government.

“The message is clear,” he said. “Under President Tinubu, the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary are united in one goal: the total transformation of Nigeria.”

In his remarks, the FCT Minister, Dr. Nyesom Wike, described the facility as a world-class asset requiring careful stewardship.

“Every user must pay,” he said firmly. “This is about sustainability. It is not just about commissioning; it’s about maintaining our infrastructure according to global standards.”

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji