Deji Adeyanju Slams ICC Refurbishment, Calls It a Scam After Attending Seyi Vodi Party
Prominent lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, has strongly criticised the state of the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja, describing its recent N39 billion refurbishment as a monumental scam.
Adeyanju shared his experience after attending the lavish Seyi Vodi party held at the venue on Saturday, expressing deep disappointment over the poor state of the facility, which has supposedly undergone extensive upgrades.
According to the activist, one of the most glaring issues was the failure of the air conditioning system, which left guests visibly uncomfortable throughout the event.
“I left so sorry for this country,” Adeyanju said in a social media post.
“The air conditioning was not working, and I am convinced N5 billion was not put into that place for repairs. At most, N3 billion was spent. What happened at that place cannot be called anything other than a scam.”
His comments have reignited public outrage and scrutiny over the controversial refurbishment project, which was announced by the Federal Government earlier this year as part of its infrastructure renewal efforts under the Bola Tinubu administration.
The N39 billion upgrade, which was supposed to give the ageing ICC a world-class facelift, has faced persistent questions from civil society groups, opposition voices, and the general public, especially in light of Nigeria’s current economic challenges.
Despite the massive budget, attendees at recent events at the venue including the Seyi Vodi party have reported similar complaints ranging from inadequate air conditioning, poor lighting, outdated fixtures, and substandard finishes, further casting doubt on the transparency of the contract and the quality of work delivered.
“This is exactly why people no longer trust government spending,” Adeyanju continued. “When billions are announced, we expect facilities that reflect that value, not failed air conditioning in the middle of a high-profile event.”
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory nor the management of the ICC has issued any official statement responding to Adeyanju’s claims.
His remarks have, however, sparked a wave of renewed calls for a comprehensive audit of the project, with many demanding accountability and a breakdown of how the N39 billion was spent.
The ICC, once a symbol of national pride and international hospitality, now finds itself at the centre of a growing scandal one that speaks to the broader issues of procurement fraud, poor oversight, and mismanagement of public funds in Nigeria.
