Seven Public Facilities Named After Tinubu Since He Became President

Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, at least seven public institutions across Nigeria have been renamed in his honour — a growing trend that has sparked both applause and criticism.

From a major highway in the capital to a newly built barracks and a national airport, Tinubu’s name is becoming a fixture in Nigeria’s public infrastructure. However, the wave of renamings has raised questions about political motives and ethical considerations.

In January 2025, the Network for the Actualisation of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD), a public procurement advocacy group, condemned the move, describing it as “extreme sycophancy” and “unethical,” especially as Tinubu is still in office.

Here are the seven key places renamed after President Tinubu so far:

1. Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna

Date Renamed: March 10, 2024

Governor Umar Bago of Niger State renamed the Abubakar Imam International Airport after President Tinubu, citing the president’s support for the state. The airport had only recently been named after Abubakar Imam, a pioneering Hausa-language journalist and writer.

2. Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way, Abuja

Date Renamed: May 28, 2024

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike unveiled the renaming of the newly completed Abuja Southern Parkway. The major road connects the Christian Centre to Ring Road One and complements the existing Sani Abacha Northern Parkway.

3. Bola Tinubu Building, National Assembly Library

Date Renamed: May 29, 2024

The National Assembly named its new library after Tinubu. Initiated under the 9th Assembly, the building was completed by the 10th Assembly and inaugurated by the president himself on his first anniversary in office.

4. Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC)

Date Renamed: December 10, 2024

The Nigeria Immigration Service named its newly built command and control center in Abuja after Tinubu. The facility is designed to boost border security and modernize immigration operations.

5. Bola Ahmed Tinubu Polytechnic, Gwarinpa

Date Approved: January 16, 2025

The federal government approved this new institution in Abuja to focus on vocational and technological education, aligning with the national education policy. It was named after the president upon its establishment.

6. Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks, Asokoro

Date Renamed: January 23, 2025

A massive new military housing complex in Asokoro, Abuja, was named in Tinubu’s honour. It includes residences for all ranks of personnel, worship centres, sports facilities, and a powerhouse. Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, said the naming was in recognition of Tinubu’s leadership.

7. Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja

Date Renamed: June 10, 2025

Minister Wike announced the renaming of the Abuja International Conference Centre, originally built in 1991. The AICC, a key venue for global and national events, now bears the president’s name. The minister also renamed its main halls after other top government officials.

The trend of naming major national assets after a sitting president is becoming a hallmark of the current administration — drawing mixed reactions from the public and civil society. While supporters frame it as recognition of Tinubu’s contributions, critics argue that it blurs the line between national interest and political loyalty.