I Have No Regret Naming Abuja Conference Centre After Tinubu – Wike Declares

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says he has no regrets naming the Abuja International Conference Centre after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, despite public criticism.

Speaking on Friday during the inauguration of the completed 15-kilometre left-hand service carriageway of OSEX Stage II—from Ring Road I to Wassa Junction—Wike responded to the backlash that followed the renaming of the refurbished centre.

The Abuja International Conference Centre, recently reopened after a ₦39 billion renovation, has drawn public scrutiny, with critics questioning both the cost and the decision to name the facility after Tinubu.

But Wike dismissed the concerns, saying:

“I have done it, and I have no regret at all.”

He questioned the logic of the backlash, pointing out that major national landmarks were also named after iconic figures who didn’t build them.

“Nnamdi Azikiwe didn’t build the international airport named after him. Moshood Abiola didn’t construct the national stadium bearing his name. So what’s the issue?”

Wike also defended the ₦39 billion spent on the renovation, insisting critics lacked proper context.

“They said it was built with ₦240 million, but that was in 1991. What was the exchange rate then? Compare that to 2025 and you’ll understand the cost. Only someone who doesn’t love this country would criticise this kind of project.”

He added that everything in the centre was replaced apart from the structure itself and urged Nigerians to appreciate efforts to uphold Nigeria’s image as the “Giant of Africa” through such infrastructure upgrades.

“Instead of applauding the President for doing well, some people take joy in baseless criticism.”