The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that those criticizing the ₦39 billion spent on renovating the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja, “don’t have good taste.”
Wike explained that everything in the building was changed apart from the brickwork, hence the huge amount spent on the renovation.
The Minister also added that those comparing the ₦240 million spent on building the conference centre in 1991 during the military regime of former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, with the ₦39bn spent on its renovation in 2025 are not taking into account the disparity in exchange rate as well as price of commodities between the two periods.
Naijaonpoint reports Wike gave the explanation during the commissioning of the newly constructed Left-Hand Service Carriageway in the nation’s capital.
According to him, he has no regrets about the renovation work or the renaming of the edifice.
It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, commissioned the refurbished International Conference Centre, Abuja, which the FCT minister renamed after him as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
This development triggered criticisms from certain stakeholders, but in response to the critics, Wike on Friday said Nigeria can not be the giant of Africa by name alone, but must also show it.
On the change of name, Wike added that it’s not all public edifices that are named after those who built them.
“The only thing in that International Conference Centre that was not changed is just the block work. Everything in that Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre was changed.
“Nigeria as the Giant of Africa must not only show that it is the Giant of Africa; people must see what makes you to be the Giant of Africa. Nobody who loves this country would criticise the International Conference Centre.
“They said we did not name the International Conference Centre after someone who built it. Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport was not built by Nnamdi Azikwe. Moshood Abiola International Stadium was not built by Moshood Abiola,” he noted.
On the cost, the FCT Minister submitted that President Tinubu has good taste and the country must produce good things.
He said he would continue to defend the Tinubu administration and its activities regardless of what people say.
“What was the exchange rate in 1991?” he queried. “Compare the exchange rate to what we have in 2025.”
“We have taste, we want the best for the country and the president has given the best for the country.
“If you did not do well to defend your boss when you have the opportunity, it is your business. I am here and I will defend my boss.
“I have done it and I have no regret at all,” he added.