Abuja International Conference Centre Set to Reopen After Major Revamp
Abuja International Conference Centre Ready for a Fresh Start
The long-closed Abuja International Conference Centre (ICC) is about to get a new lease on life. After being out of service since April 2024 because of shoddy care and management, the facility is scheduled to reopen with a bang on June 10, 2025. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has made it clear: things will be different this time.
During his recent tour of the ICC and some key road projects nearby, Wike shared that the centre has already undergone a major facelift under the watchful eye of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. The building isn’t just getting a new coat of paint and some modern gadgets—it’s even getting a new identity. Now officially named the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, the revamp is meant to wipe away the memory of the neglect that saw the facility shuttered in the first place.
Changing How Nigeria Handles Public Infrastructure
Wike didn’t mince words about why the ICC closed. The former managers, Integrated Facility Management Services Limited, were shown the door after the facility slipped into disrepair. Instead of just patching things up and hoping for the best, Wike handed oversight to Julius Berger—a company known for its tough standards and track record. That’s not all: even after renovations, Julius Berger will stick around to handle maintenance. Wike insists this is non-negotiable, calling it a way to sidestep “political interference” and keep things running smoothly.
So what does that mean for Nigerians using the ICC? For starters, anyone booking the space will now be expected to pay for its upkeep directly. Say goodbye to venues falling apart from overuse and underfunding. The logic is simple: people take better care of things when they have some skin in the game. And the centre is being outfitted with up-to-date technology, so local staff are getting fresh training to handle everything from smart systems to advanced security setups.
Wike was open about his hopes that the ICC’s new management model would set a template. With Nigeria’s struggle to maintain public infrastructure often making headlines, he’s betting on these changes to show a different path forward. He’s not just talking tough, either; the minister promised consequences for civil servants who don’t pull their weight, saying discipline is on the table for underperformance.
The reopening of the Abuja International Conference Centre isn’t happening in isolation. The June ceremony will see other major infrastructure projects rolled out—new roads, bridges, and more. With President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima tipped to attend, it’s more than just a ribbon cutting. It’s a signal that Abuja is ready to operate at a higher standard, with tighter controls and accountability at every step.
Wike’s gamble is clear: break the cycle of neglect and politicization, and maybe—just maybe—the capital’s public buildings can finally live up to their promise.
Comments
kunal duggal
June 14, 2025 AT 12:20The structural overhaul of the Abuja International Conference Centre represents a paradigm shift in public infrastructure governance. By delegating maintenance to Julius Berger under a performance-based contractual framework, the FCT has effectively decoupled operational integrity from political patronage. This is a textbook application of public-private accountability mechanisms-where lifecycle costing and service-level agreements replace ad hoc budgetary allocations. The direct-user-fee model aligns with economic efficiency principles, mitigating the tragedy of the commons that plagued prior management. Furthermore, the integration of smart infrastructure systems necessitates upskilling of local personnel, thereby creating a sustainable human capital dividend. This model, if replicated across other federal facilities, could redefine Nigeria’s infrastructure resilience index.
Ankush Gawale
June 14, 2025 AT 17:54I get the optimism here, and I really hope this works out. But I’ve seen this movie before-big renovations, big speeches, then silence. Maybe it’s the way things are done now, but I just wonder how much of this is really about accountability versus optics. The name change feels symbolic, and I’m not against honoring leaders, but I hope the real change isn’t just in the paint and the signage. If the same people are still in charge behind the scenes, will anything actually be different? I’m rooting for it, though. 🤞
रमेश कुमार सिंह
June 14, 2025 AT 18:00This isn’t just a building being fixed-it’s a soul being resurrected. The ICC was once a cathedral of possibility, where ideas danced in marble halls and futures were negotiated over tea. Then came the rot, the silence, the forgotten microphones and broken AC units like ghosts haunting the corridors. Now, with Julius Berger stepping in like a modern-day guardian, it’s not just about concrete and copper wires-it’s about restoring dignity to public space. The fee-for-use model? Genius. It turns users into stewards, not just consumers. And naming it after Tinubu? Not just politics-it’s poetry. A monument to vision, not vanity. Maybe, just maybe, this is the spark that lights up the rest of Nigeria’s sleeping giants.
Krishna A
June 15, 2025 AT 00:11Lmao they spent all this money and just renamed it after the president? Classic. Next they’ll rename the toilet paper after him too. 🤡
Jaya Savannah
June 15, 2025 AT 13:39soooo... the toilets will actually work now? 😅💅 #finally #prayfortheplumbing