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Businessman and social commentator Isaac Fayose has criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the reported ₦39 billion spent on renovating the Abuja International Conference Centre (ICC)—a facility originally constructed for ₦240 million in 1991 under General Ibrahim Babangida.
Fayose, known for his outspoken views on governance, described the project as an act of “ego construction,” questioning the rationale behind such a massive expenditure amid Nigeria’s ongoing economic struggles.
“The ICC was built from scratch in 1991 with just ₦240 million—a complete and functional national monument,” Fayose said. “Now, in 2025, ₦39 billion is being used not to build, but merely to renovate the same structure.”
He argued that the renovation has little to do with development or legacy preservation, and more to do with personal branding. “This isn’t about national development,” Fayose continued. “This is about rewriting history with paint, bricks, and self-promotion.”
Fayose also condemned the administration’s priorities, pointing to the economic hardship faced by everyday Nigerians.
“There’s a deeper issue at play,” he warned. “It’s not just about the money—it’s about what we value as a nation. While citizens are struggling to afford basic necessities, the government is spending billions on vanity projects.”
The Abuja International Conference Centre has since been renamed the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.
