Tinubu Directs MDAs to Pay for Use of Newly Renamed Abuja International Conference Centre

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government to pay for the use of the newly renovated Abuja International Conference Centre (ICC) to ensure its sustainable maintenance and long-term viability. The directive was issued on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, during the official reopening of the facility, which has now been controversially renamed the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.

During the event, President Tinubu recalled his visit to the Centre during the 2024 ECOWAS Parliament conference, expressing his dismay at its then dilapidated state. “When I attended the ECOWAS Parliament conference, the environment was dirty, disorganized, and uninhabitable. I turned to Mr. Wike and said, ‘This Conference Centre does not reflect who we are. Have we sunk this low?'” the President recounted, adding that he was very happy with the transformation.

The President emphasized that the renovated ICC is integral to Nigeria’s broader vision of becoming a regional hub for diplomacy, continental trade discussions, and global partnerships. He lauded Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, the original contractors, for the high-quality renovation, which reportedly cost the FCT Administration N39 billion. Minister Wike confirmed that the transformation was completed within eight months following the President’s directive.

Minister Wike, who announced the renaming of the 1991-built Centre in honor of President Tinubu, underscored the necessity of financial discipline in maintaining the upgraded facility. “Whether you are a ministry or an agency, you must pay something to use this facility. That is the only way we can sustain it. No such thing as ‘my brother’ or ‘my sister’ wants to use it for a wedding. If you want to use a beautiful place like this, you must pay something,” Wike asserted.

The move to mandate payment for government entities marks a departure from previous practices where MDAs often used such federal facilities without direct charges, leading to poor maintenance and degradation over time. This new policy aligns with the administration’s broader push for financial accountability and sustainability across government operations.

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre is among several capital projects being commissioned in the Federal Capital Territory as part of activities marking President Tinubu’s second anniversary in office. The directive signals a clear intention by the present administration to ensure that public infrastructure generates revenue for its upkeep, rather than solely relying on budgetary allocations.