Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has seen his name affixed to at least seven public facilities across Nigeria, sparking both praise and controversy. These renamings span various sectors, from transportation and technology to security and education, primarily concentrated in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
List of Renamed Facilities
Here’s a list of the facilities that have been renamed in President Tinubu’s honor:
- Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna: Formerly the Abubakar Imam International Airport, it was renamed on March 10, 2024, by Niger State Governor Umar Bago, citing Tinubu’s support for the state.
- Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way, Abuja: The Abuja Southern Parkway, a major road stretching from the Christian Centre to Ring Road One, was renamed on May 28, 2024, by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike following its completion.
- Bola Tinubu Building, National Assembly Library: On May 29, 2024, the National Assembly library was named after Tinubu. The project was initiated during the 9th assembly and completed during the 10th.
- Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC): The Nigeria Immigration Service’s command and control center in Abuja was christened with this name on December 10, 2024, highlighting its role as a hub for technological and security innovation.
- Bola Ahmed Tinubu Polytechnic, Gwarinpa: Approved by the federal government on January 16, 2025, this new polytechnic in Abuja aims to bolster vocational and entrepreneurial education.
- Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks, Asokoro: A newly constructed army barracks in Asokoro, Abuja, was inaugurated and named after Tinubu on January 23, 2025. The barracks includes residential quarters, worship centers, and recreational facilities.
- Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja: On June 10, 2025, the Abuja International Conference Centre (AICC) was renamed by Minister Wike after its renovation.
Controversy and Criticism
This wave of renamings has been met with mixed reactions. Supporters view it as a fitting honor for a leader of Tinubu’s stature. However, critics argue that it smacks of “extreme sycophancy” and raises ethical questions about naming public institutions after a sitting president. The Network for the Actualisation of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD), a public procurement advocacy group, has been particularly vocal in its condemnation of the practice.
Furthermore, the renaming of the International Conference Centre (ICC) has drawn additional criticism due to the substantial N39 billion spent on its renovation, raising questions about the priorities of the government amidst other pressing issues like education and healthcare.
