Tinubu Commends Julius Berger for High-Quality Work at Abuja International Conference Centre
After the inauguration of the renovated International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja—handled by Nigeria’s top engineering construction firm, Julius Berger Nigeria Ltd—President Bola Tinubu praised the company’s outstanding dedication to excellence.
Similarly, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended Julius Berger for completing the world-class rehabilitation of the conference centre on time.
In a press statement released Wednesday in Abuja by the Media and Publicity Unit of Julius Berger, President Bola Tinubu, while commissioning the newly rehabilitated International Conference Centre on Tuesday, emphasized his administration’s dedication to revitalizing key infrastructure across all sectors under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Reflecting on the poor condition of the centre during the last ECOWAS Parliament Conference, the president described it as a source of embarrassment and a clear indicator of national decline. He acknowledged the commitment of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, who had promised a complete transformation of the facility—and commended him for delivering on that promise.
Addressing Julius Berger, the contractors behind the rehabilitation, Tinubu praised the company for its exceptional work. “Today, we are not just talking about renovation; we are talking about rehabilitation—about quality, attention to detail, and excellent execution,” he stated
President Tinubu highlighted that the quality of work on the ICC “reflects what Julius Berger has been known for in this country for years,” emphasizing that the centre plays a vital role in Nigeria’s aspirations to become a hub for regional diplomacy, continental trade negotiations, and global partnerships.
In his goodwill message, Senate President Godswill Akpabio also offered strong praise for both the FCT Minister and the contractor. Commending Wike for what he called a remarkable transformation, Akpabio described the previous condition of the ICC as a “monumental embarrassment.”
He added, “Mr. President, I’ll leave it to you to share your thoughts on this rehabilitated infrastructure; but allow me to commend the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, my dear brother, Nyesom Wike, and his team.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, speaking further, remarked, “I don’t know which contractor handled this project, but I can imagine it must be the usual Julius Berger. I’m just guessing, because I saw their quality the moment I stepped in.” He went on to affirm, “Mr. President, the renovation, the rehabilitation, and the transformation we are witnessing at the ICC is exactly the kind of change we are bringing to this country—whether people like it or not.
Akpabio also lauded President Tinubu’s transformative leadership, stating, “The Nigerian Parliament is very proud of you. We are proud that we handle the budgeting, we give the approvals, and you ensure the execution. You’ve put on your thinking cap, and you’re clearly committed to leaving Nigeria better than you found it.”
The newly rehabilitated International Conference Centre now boasts a 10,000-seat capacity, advanced acoustic systems, AI-assisted translation booths, and renewable energy features.
The commissioning ceremony was graced by members of Nigeria’s political elite, traditional rulers, and representatives of the diplomatic corps. Leading the Julius Berger delegation was the company’s Managing Director, Engr. Dr. Peer Lubasch.
