The minister of FCT, Nyesome Wike has replied those who said the centre was built with ₦240m in 1991 but refurbished with ₦39bn in 2025.
“What was the exchange rate in 1991?” he queried. “Compare the exchange rate to what we have in 2025
According to Wike, 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.
“We have taste, we want the best for the country, and the president has given the best for the country.
He also replied those who criticized him and the federal government for not naming the conference centre after General Ibrahim Babangida who built it in 1991
“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,”
Wike stated that he has no regret for spending such an amount for renovation because according to him, everything in the conference centre was changed apart from the physical structure .
“I have done it and I have no regret at all,” he said even as he censured those who felt the project was a misplaced priority
