Transforming Yola into a Global Hub: Adamawa State Breaks Ground on Ultra-Modern International Conference Centre

Yola, Adamawa- May 29, 2025

In a historic ceremony, the Adamawa State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, officially flagged off the construction of a state-of-the-art International Conference and Events Centre in Yola. The landmark project, designed to position Adamawa as a premier destination for business, tourism, and global events, marks another milestone in the administration’s commitment to infrastructure-driven prosperity. 

The Governor, addressing dignitaries, stakeholders, and citizens at the groundbreaking event, emphasized that the Centre symbolizes his administration’s dedication to "building the Adamawa of the future today." 

Key features of the ultra-modern facility include:

✔ Multiple conference halls and exhibition spaces

✔ Galleries, administrative offices, and VIP lounges 

✔ Restaurants, tea rooms, and outdoor leisure spaces 

✔ Uninterrupted power supply and cutting-edge technology 

 

The Governor highlighted the project’s potential to boost the state’s economy by attracting high-profile events, such as international conferences, political summits, academic workshops, and cultural exhibitions, while creating jobs for youths and women. 

With the Yola International Airport providing seamless connectivity, the Centre is expected to draw national and global patronage, catalyzing investment in hospitality, transportation, and ancillary businesses. Governor Fintiri called on event planners worldwide to prepare to host major gatherings in Yola within the next 12 months, targeting organizations like the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), ICAN, and CIBN. 

“This Centre will transform Adamawa into a commercial hub and spark development in nearby towns and villages—through new roads, shops, and support services. It will also generate employment, as a dedicated team will be needed to run and maintain the facility.”

 

The Governor also used the occasion to reaffirm his administration’s all-inclusive governance approach, citing achievements across sectors: 

- Economic Reforms: Adamawa’s Ease of Doing Business ranking surged from 5.25 (2021) to 5.86 (2023), with the state now among Nigeria’s top investment destinations (BBB+ rated). 

- Education Revolution: Free WAEC/NECO, top-5 national exam performance, and smart schools’ deployment. 

- Healthcare Expansion: Free medical care for children, pregnant women, and seniors under the State Health Insurance Scheme. 

- Infrastructure Boom: 27-year-old Yola Stadium revival, rural electrification, and hassle-free road networks. 

On the flip side, Governor Fintiri used the occasion to dismissed critics urging his administration to "slow down," declaring: 

"We will not slow down on free education, healthcare, or infrastructure. Instead, we are accelerating—because Adamawa’s progress is non-negotiable." 

He vowed to remain focused on governance despite political noise, promising to "make detractors lose again" when the time comes. 

The International Conference Centre is more than a building—it’s a testament to Adamawa’s rising profile as a hub for commerce, tourism, and sustainable development. As the Governor symbolically turned the sod, he reiterated his pledge: "No one will be left behind; nothing will be left untouched." 

The project would gulp 18 billion naira and is slated for completion within 12 months, with expectations high for its transformative impact on the state’s socio-economic landscape. 

Also speaking at the event, Hon. Abdullahi Prambe the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, assured the public that the project will be delivered within the stipulated timeframe. He praised the Governor for transforming the state capital into an economic hub, noting that the new Centre would redefine Adamawa’s economic landscape.