ABUJA (CONVERSEER) – Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended the N39 billion renovation of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, stating that the facility’s recent surge in revenue has silenced critics.
Speaking during a media chat on Thursday in Abuja, Wike disclosed that the Centre, which was formerly known as the Abuja International Conference Centre (AICC), has generated N650 million in just three weeks since its unveiling — a sharp contrast to the N50 million it reportedly earned annually prior to the upgrade.
“The same people shouting N39bn are now quiet,” Wike said. “In three weeks alone, we’ve made N650m. How much did we make before? N50m in one year. So you can see they’re now embarrassed by the facts.”
The minister said the returns on investment have justified the renovation cost, which initially drew public criticism over its scale and timing. He further noted that the Centre is now fully booked for events until 2027, highlighting a dramatic turnaround in its patronage and appeal.
“People have rushed to book the Centre. We’re sold out till 2027,” he stated, adding that the facility’s transformation has restored its relevance and elevated its status as a premium event destination in the capital.
Wike accused detractors of making unfounded statements without adequate knowledge, asserting that the performance figures speak for themselves.
“The problem with most people is that they talk without facts. When the facts come out, they go silent,” he said.
The Centre was renamed in May in honour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the completion of the renovation, a move that sparked controversy alongside concerns about the project’s N39bn cost.
However, Wike insists the investment is yielding tangible economic returns, signalling a successful revitalisation of one of Abuja’s key public facilities.
