By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has justified the ₦39 billion renovation of the International Conference Centre in Abuja, stating that the work carried out was thorough and essential.
He said the project aimed to improve the facility and make it suitable for international use.
Wike gave the explanation on Friday in Abuja, during the commissioning of the newly completed Left-Hand Service Carriageway, noting that the renovation of the conference centre involved replacing all components except the main structural framework of the building.
The minister explained that although the conference centre was originally built in 1991 at a cost of ₦240 million under the military government led by former Head of State Ibrahim Babangida, the economic landscape has changed significantly, resulting in the ₦39 billion spent on its renovation.
Wike addressed these criticisms, defending the cost of the renovation project.
According to Wike, those who criticise the amount spent on renovating the International Conference Centre “lack good taste.”
He emphasised, “The only part of the International Conference Centre that remained unchanged was the block work. Every other aspect of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre was completely transformed,” responding directly to his detractors.
Wike added that, as the Giant of Africa, Nigeria must not only claim the title but also demonstrate through its landmarks what sets it apart. He insisted that anyone who truly loves the country would not fault the renovation of the conference centre.
Addressing the controversy over the renaming, he pointed out, “People say we didn’t name the centre after its original builder. But Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport wasn’t built by Nnamdi Azikwe, and Moshood Abiola International Stadium wasn’t built by Moshood Abiola.”
Wike also criticised those who claimed the centre was constructed for ₦240 million in 1991 but refurbished for ₦39 billion in 2025. He asked, “What was the exchange rate back in 1991? Compare that to the rate we have now in 2025.”
He emphasised, “We have good taste and want the best for our country, and the president has provided just that.”
He added, “If you didn’t stand up to defend your leader when you had the chance, that’s your choice. But I am here, and I will defend my leader. I have done so without any regrets,” he said, while also criticizing those who believe the project was a poor use of resources.
“Everything in that Conference Centre was changed—lighting, roofing, sound systems, seating, even the acoustics. The only thing not changed was the block itself. If you love this country, you won’t criticise excellence,” Wike said.
The administration also confirmed that the project was delivered within budget and on time, and was part of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” for infrastructure revitalisation.
“This is not just about painting walls or changing chairs. It is about restoring a symbol of our national pride. When heads of state, investors, and partners visit Abuja, they must see a country ready for business,” Wike added.
The renovation of the ICC has not been without controversy. Critics on social media and opposition figures questioned the timing and cost of the project, with some calling it a “misplaced priority” in a time of economic hardship.
“We are not here to please critics. We are here to work. The president has given us the mandate, the funding, and the support to deliver real infrastructure. And that’s what we are doing,” he said.
Recalled that on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, President Bola Tinubu officially commissioned the renovated International Conference Centre in Abuja, which the FCT Minister renamed in his honour as the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre.
The move drew criticism from some opposition figures, including former federal lawmaker Shehu Sani, who argued that the centre should have been named after Babangida, the leader during its original construction.
Others also questioned the justification for the amount spent on the refurbishment, describing it as excessive.