ABUJA, Nigeria — Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that the newly renovated Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre is fully booked until 2027, defending the ₦39 billion spent on the facility’s upgrade.
Wike made the remarks on Thursday, June 26, 2025, during the inauguration of the Kugbo Bus and Taxi Terminal, one of several infrastructure projects commissioned to mark President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office.
The minister acknowledged criticism over the cost of renovating the centre but insisted the investment has already begun to yield results.
He cited the recent Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) summit, hosted by President Tinubu at the facility, as evidence of its strategic value.
“You know Nigerians can pretend. They like good things, but they pretend as if they don’t,” Wike was quoted by NAN as saying.
“As I speak to you, that conference centre has been booked now till 2027. No space.”
Wike said he had received an application from the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives to use the venue for constitutional amendment discussions, but noted there were no available dates unless an early payment was made.
“In fact, I saw the application by the deputy speaker on constitutional amendment, but there is no space, no day. But I’m trying to adjust if he can pay on time, because it’s not free. There’s nothing like a national assembly this or that; you have to pay something for us to sustain the facility,” he said.
The conference centre, originally commissioned years earlier, was renamed in honour of President Tinubu and underwent a major facelift under Wike’s administration in the FCT.
Wike praised the President for his bold decision-making amid national challenges.
“No leader can succeed without taking a decision because people will say something,” he said.
“If you don’t take that decision, people will say something. If you take the decision, people will say something. Therefore, do something.”
The minister added that infrastructure efforts under the Tinubu administration in Abuja are aimed at benefiting all residents, not just the elite.
“We are not here to make only big men happy; we are here to make big men and poor people happy,” Wike said.
“That’s what will move this country forward, and that’s what the President has shown.”
He also highlighted the role of the new transport terminals in sanitising public movement within the FCT.
In addition to the Kugbo and Mabushi terminals, another major terminal in the Central Business District is currently under construction.
