As part of events marking his sixth year in office, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of an ultramodern International Conference and Event Centre in Yola.
Awarded at a contract sum of ₦18.972 billion to Messrs Lubell Nigeria Limited, the project is poised to become a landmark facility that will reposition Adamawa as a hub for business, tourism, and investment. Once completed, the world-class Centre is expected to boost internally generated revenue and create jobs across the state.
The ambitious project will feature a 1,000-seat multipurpose hall, 360-capacity auditorium, syndicate rooms, seminar rooms, a pre-function area, restaurants, cafés, retail outlets, kitchen and catering services, a medical unit, security infrastructure with CCTV, and landscaped surroundings.
Speaking during the ceremony at the State Secretariat Complex in Yola, Governor Fintiri described the Centre as a “strategic economic investment” with long-term benefits for the state’s development trajectory.
“Most interesting and heart-warming is the economic and commercial value this project will attract to the state,” the governor said. “With the calibre of conferences, political meetings, and social events it will host, only the short-sighted will fail to see its impact on our economy.”
Governor Fintiri also noted the proximity of Yola International Airport, stressing the Centre’s potential to attract both local and international patronage, enhance tourism, and stimulate commercial activity in nearby communities.
“This Centre will transform Adamawa into a commercial hub and spark development in nearby towns and villages. It will also create jobs, as a dedicated workforce will be needed to manage and operate the facility,” he added.
The Governor revealed that the Centre is central to his administration’s vision to harness the opportunities in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry.
“We aim to position Adamawa as a major player in the MICE industry,” he said. “Let global event planners know that within 12 months, Yola will be ready to host world-class events like NBA, ICAN, and CIBN conferences.”
He further stated that the project is part of a broader investment promotion drive, noting that investor-friendly policies must be matched with tangible infrastructure.
“We cannot keep asking investors to come to Adamawa without creating the right environment,” he said. “This is about turning our words into action.”
Governor Fintiri also highlighted other key achievements of his administration, including an extensive road network in Yola, the revival of Yola Stadium after nearly three decades, and over 30 rural electrification projects. He mentioned ongoing collaborations with renewable energy investors for the development of solar farms and mini-grids.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu Prambe, assured that the project would be completed within the agreed timeline. He commended Governor Fintiri’s leadership and vision, stating that the new Centre will redefine Adamawa’s economic landscape.
