Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has revealed that the newly renovated Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja is fully booked until 2027.
Wike made this known on Thursday during the commissioning of the Kugbo Bus Terminal in Abuja. He said despite criticisms over the cost of the N39 billion renovation, the demand for the facility has skyrocketed, leaving no available date for new events.
“You know, Nigerians pretend. They like good things, but they will pretend as if they don’t. That conference centre has been booked now till 2027, no space,” the minister said.
He noted that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives had requested a date for the constitutional amendment conference, but there was no room available. Wike said he was now trying to adjust the bookings to see if it could be accommodated.
“I saw an application by the Deputy Speaker, on constitutional amendment. There’s no space, no day. I’m trying to adjust if he can pay on time. Because it’s not free,” he said.
Wike also explained that even though the National Assembly helps pass the FCT budget, it still has to pay for use of the centre to ensure its maintenance.
“There’s nothing like it’s the National Assembly. You have to pay something for us to sustain the facility,” he added.
The renovated centre, formerly known as the Abuja International Conference Centre, was inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu on June 10, 2025, as part of activities marking his second year in office.
The renovation had sparked public criticism, with Labour Party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, questioning the cost and suggesting the funds could have been better used for education and other pressing needs.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who represented the president at the bus terminal inauguration, also spoke about the bookings.
He urged Wike to refund those who had made reservations to create space for the constitutional conference.
“I’m not happy to hear that the Constitutional Confab that we are planning by the National Assembly, we will not have space in the International Conference Centre,” Akpabio said.
He also pleaded that bookings should not extend into 2028, saying the ruling party would need the venue to celebrate its next election victory.
“Please find a way to return the money to those who booked. We will pay. Don’t allow them to book it in 2028, otherwise we won’t even see a place to jubilate after we have won the election,” Akpabio added.
