Public outrage is building online after revelations that Tinubu’s government spent ₦39 billion to renovate the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja, a project originally built in 1991 for just ₦240 million. The move has drawn heavy criticism, especially after the renovated facility was reportedly renamed after Tinubu himself.
Reacting to the development, social media user Arsene (@mmuyiiwaa) expressed disbelief at the scale of the spending in a country facing economic hardship.
“Thirty nine billion naira to RENOVATE an international conference centre, in the midst of wide spread poverty. I don’t understand how some of you can justify this,” he wrote.
The ICC, a national landmark built under the regime of former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida (IBB), had remained a symbol of modest state infrastructure spending. Critics noted that IBB, who initiated the project, did not name the centre after himself, contrasting sharply with Tinubu’s choice to do so after approving the multi-billion naira renovation.
Others called for a breakdown of the renovation costs, demanding transparency and questioning the legitimacy of the contract’s value.
The ICC controversy adds to the long list of criticisms facing the Tinubu administration over what many describe as misplaced priorities and elite extravagance in the face of mass suffering.
