Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre recorded N650 million in revenue within three weeks of its launch.
During a media parley on Thursday, Wike explained that the conference centre underwent a complete renovation, noting that “the only thing that we didn’t do in that structure was to bring the whole thing down”.
He mentioned that prior to the renovation, the conference centre generated only N50 million annually for the FCT.
“Now let me tell you how this country works. The man they gave it (conference centre) to was paying N50 million to the FCT every year. That place was commissioned on June 10, and the revenue made within three weeks was N650 million. Why? People love good things,” he stated.
He added that the facility hosted the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) heads of state, with positive remarks from ambassadors. According to him, the venue has become highly sought after.
“In fact, there’s no space. As I speak, it has been booked up to 2027.”
Wike recalled facing criticism from politicians and senior government officials when he initially closed the centre.
“The country we’re in is a place that if you begin to pay attention to frivolities, you won’t achieve anything,” he said.
“And now you’re saying, why did I name it after Tinubu. Who should I name it after? Who is more qualified?”
The FCT administration had faced backlash for spending N39 billion to renovate the conference centre.
Wike was also criticised for naming the revamped centre after the president.
