The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has raised alarm over staggering financial irregularities in the management of the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja, revealing that despite generating over N300 million monthly, the facility was remitting a paltry N50 million annually to government coffers.
Wike made this revelation during a media parley with select journalists at his Abuja residence on Monday, lamenting years of systemic rot, mismanagement, and neglect that have crippled the iconic edifice built in 1991 under the administration of former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida.
“The ICC has not seen any substantial maintenance since its commissioning over three decades ago. It had become an eyesore — a disgrace to our capital city,” the minister said, citing the embarrassment faced during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to the facility for the ECOWAS Parliament event last year.
“Mr. President was shocked. He told me bluntly: ‘This is unacceptable, Mr. Minister. I don’t want to see this again,’” Wike recounted.
According to the minister, the ICC had been leased out to a serving senator whose mismanagement reduced the once-prestigious conference centre to a shell of its former glory. He accused the operator of deliberately shortchanging the government.
“They were remitting just N50 million per year to Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL), yet the facility was making nothing less than N300 million every month. No maintenance. The place was run down, and the government was being cheated,” Wike declared.
Wike criticised the politicisation of public assets and vowed to resist pressure from political interests seeking to control the facility. “Everything in Nigeria, politicians want to control. That era is over. I don’t care if the operator is from this zone or that. The question is — are you competent? Are you accountable?” he said.
To address the rot, the FCT Administration is finalizing a new maintenance agreement with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, a reputable construction and infrastructure firm. Wike noted that the arrangement would ensure sustainability and professional oversight of the facility.
“We are putting in place a dedicated account for all payments. Every user, whether private or public, must pay. No more free use of the ICC — not even for government ministries. Maintenance must be funded,” he asserted.
The Minister made it clear that the days of “everything is free” in government are over. “If the Minister of Interior or Transportation wants to use the ICC, they must pay. If we keep giving everything out for free, who will maintain the place?” he asked.
Wike emphasized that the facility was not being run for profit, but to ensure sustainability and proper upkeep. “We are not businessmen. We are administrators. The objective is to maintain the infrastructure, not to enrich individuals,” he stated.
He disclosed that the newly refurbished ICC would be the first project to be commissioned by President Tinubu in celebration of his second year in office. “We want Nigerians to be proud of this landmark again. We are working day and night to meet that goal,” he said.
On the welfare of civil servants in the FCT Administration, Wike insisted that his administration was committed to timely salary payments and judicious use of resources. He criticized frivolous training programs abroad, insisting on relevance and value.
“You don’t go to the U.S. for a course on land administration and expect me to approve it. That’s a waste. If it’s not beneficial to our development goals, I will not fund it,” he said.
Wike further stated that he would prefer such funds be redirected towards infrastructure and public service delivery, adding, “I will even write to the assembly to re-channel the money for something tangible — something that benefits the people.”
The FCT Minister’s revelations and firm stance on accountability have sparked renewed debate over the management of public assets and the need for reforms in the nation’s capital. As the Tinubu administration marks its second year, all eyes are now on the rebirth of the ICC as a symbol of responsible governance and national pride.
