Wike: Critics Mocked Me, But Tinubu Conference Centre Generated N650m in 3 Weeks
The Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre generated N650 million within three weeks of its inauguration because “people love good things,” according to Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).
Speaking at a media parley on Thursday, Wike said the massive revenue jump was the result of the complete renovation of the once-abandoned facility.
“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 said.
The FCT minister noted that the centre, now renamed after President Bola Tinubu, has already been booked up until 2027.
“The president hosted the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) heads of state in that international conference centre. Go and see the comments from the ambassadors. People are rushing to that place now,” Wike said.
The N39 billion spent on the renovation, and the decision to name the centre after Tinubu have drawn criticism. But Wike defended both moves.
“The only thing that we didn’t do in that structure was to bring the whole thing down,” he said.
“The country we’re in is a place that if you begin to pay attention to frivolities, you won’t achieve anything. And now you’re saying, Why did I name it after Tinubu? Who should I name it after?
