The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stood firm on his decision to rename the Abuja International Conference Centre (ICC) after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declaring that he has “no regret at all” over the move.
Speaking during the commissioning of the 15-kilometre left-hand service carriageway of the OSEX Stage II project, from Ring Road I to Wassa Junction, on Friday, Wike dismissed backlash surrounding the renaming and cost of rehabilitating the centre.
The reopening of the newly renovated ICC earlier in the week drew widespread reactions, with some critics questioning both the N39 billion price tag and the decision to name it after President Tinubu.
Some labeled the spending a misplaced priority, especially in light of Nigeria’s economic challenges.
In response, Wike rejected the criticisms as baseless and historically inconsistent.
“I have done it, and I have no regret at all,” the minister stated.
He pointed to precedents in Nigeria’s history, noting that major national landmarks had previously been named after figures who were not involved in building them.
“Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport was not built by Azikiwe and Moshood Abiola National Stadium was not built by Abiola,” he said.
He also stressed that the renovation was not cosmetic, but a comprehensive overhaul of the facility.
“The only thing that was not changed in the centre was the structure, everything in that centre was changed,” Wike explained.
Critics, he argued, lacked a proper understanding of economic realities, especially when comparing construction costs over time.
“They said that the centre was built with N240 million, but which year? 1991. What was the exchange rate in 1991 compared with today? Look at it, 1991 and we are now in 2025,” he said.
The minister was emphatic that such comparisons ignore inflation and the depreciation of the naira over the decades.
“Nobody who loves this country will criticise the rehabilitation of the international conference centre,” he said.
Wike concluded by expressing pride in the symbolic value of the renovation, saying it reflected Nigeria’s status on the continent.
“We deserve the best for the country and Mr President has given us the best,” he declared, adding that Nigeria must showcase its position as the “giant of Africa” through infrastructure befitting that stature.
