President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s growing list of public institutions and national monuments being named in his honour has sparked concern over what some critics describe as creeping self-deification in Nigeria’s political space.
On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, presided over the renaming of the Abuja International Conference Centre (ICC) as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre during a ceremony attended by President Tinubu himself.
The edifice, originally built under the leadership of former military President Ibrahim Babangida in 1991, was recently renovated at a reported cost of ₦39 billion—a stark contrast to the ₦240 million cost of its original construction.
The renaming has drawn criticism from commentators and analysts who argue that the President is permitting an alarming number of national assets to be christened after himself, barely two years into his tenure. So far, at least eight significant structures—including roads, airports, academic institutions, and military facilities—have been named in honour of Tinubu across Nigeria.
Critics highlight the symbolism and history behind many of these institutions, cautioning that unilateral renaming, especially without public consultation or due recognition of original initiators, risks distorting national memory.
The ICC, for instance, played host to the 1991 Organisation of African Unity (OAU) summit, and has since been a premier destination for global summits and state events. Distinguished figures such as former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Queen Elizabeth II have graced the venue.
Observers also point to the sharp contrast between Tinubu’s current trajectory and that of leaders like Abia State Governor Alex Otti.
In a widely circulated video, Otti was seen commissioning 14 road projects in Aba while engaging warmly with citizens—an act that resonated with many Nigerians for its humility and focus on public service. Notably, none of the roads commissioned by Otti has been named after him.
The growing concerns culminate in what some have labelled “a dangerous cult of personality,” with fears that unchecked glorification could undermine democratic norms and institutional integrity.
Critics warn that without restraint, the trend may spiral into absurdities, with public facilities such as courts, hospitals, and even waste dumps potentially branded with presidential labels.
Public affairs analysts have also drawn historical parallels, noting that even autocratic leaders like Uganda’s Field Marshal Idi Amin did not institutionalize self-naming to such a degree. Others recall that past Nigerian leaders—including Babangida, who oversaw the movement of the capital to Abuja—often refrained from naming national assets after themselves.
Calls have been made for President Tinubu to exercise greater circumspection and to guide his appointees toward upholding institutional dignity and historical accuracy.
"We must not allow vainglory and political sycophancy to override sound governance principles," a political commentator remarked.
As Nigeria looks to navigate its complex political terrain, many agree that leadership must be defined not by monuments bearing names, but by legacies that uplift citizens and respect the nation’s collective heritage.
