News Editor
By David Odama
The renovated International Conference Center has been renamed after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The renamed ICC has been mandated to ensure that users pay for the facility, marking a significant shift in its administration and public use.
The decision was announced during the formal reopening of the centre, which has undergone a major facelift under the supervision of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike. The project was executed by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, the original contractor of the facility.
Recalling his first impression of the ICC, President Tinubu expressed dismay over its previous state.
“When I attended the ECOWAS Parliament conference, the environment was dirty, disorganised, and uninhabitable. I turned to Mr. Wike and said, ‘This Conference Centre does not reflect who we are. Have we sunk this low?’ He replied, ‘No, bear with us. We will do whatever we can to transform the place.’ Today, I am very happy,” he said.
He emphasised that the Conference Centre should reflect Nigeria’s national pride and international aspirations, saying:
“The International Conference Centre is part of our country’s larger vision to become a hub for regional diplomacy, continental trade discussions, global partnerships, and other thoughtful, well-outlined goals that reflect our ‘Nigeria First’ principle”.
President Tinubu also commended Julius Berger for delivering a high-quality renovation, noting that the standard of work aligns with the company’s longstanding reputation for excellence in Nigeria.
With the facility now fully restored and upgraded, the President directed that usage of the centre must now be monetised to ensure sustainability and proper maintenance, signaling a new era in the management of one of Nigeria’s most prominent event venues.
