Tinubu Conference Centre Generates N650 Million in Three Weeks – Wike

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja has generated N650 million in just three weeks since its commissioning, according to Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Wike revealed the revenue figures during a media briefing on Thursday, highlighting the overwhelming demand for the newly upgraded facility. He said the centre, which was previously underutilised and yielded only N50 million annually, is now fully booked until 2027.

“That place was commissioned on June 10, and the revenue made within three weeks was N650 million,” Wike said. “Why? People love good things.”

He added that the centre underwent a complete transformation, describing it as a near-total rebuild. “The only thing we didn’t do in that structure was to bring the whole thing down,” he said.

The conference centre hosted its first major event shortly after its inauguration, welcoming heads of state from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). According to Wike, the feedback from foreign dignitaries and ambassadors has been overwhelmingly positive.

Despite initial criticism, particularly over the N39 billion spent on the upgrade and the decision to name the facility after President Bola Tinubu, Wike defended both moves.

“When I shut the place down for renovation, many top officials complained. But in this country, if you focus on frivolities, you won’t achieve anything,” he said.

“And now people are asking why I named it after Tinubu. Who else should I name it after? Who is more qualified?”

The FCT administration has faced scrutiny over the scale of investment in the project, but Wike insists the results speak for themselves, citing the immediate financial returns and growing demand for the venue.