By Our Correspondent
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced plans to comprehensively renovate and upgrade the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja to meet international standards.
Wike made the disclosure during a facility tour of the club on Saturday, where he noted that the transformation would commence with the Club House under an emergency intervention. The Club House, a popular hub for relaxation and social gatherings among golfers, will serve as the starting point of a phased renovation project.
“The facilities are due for urgent rehabilitation,” the minister stated. “We will begin with the Club House to ensure it’s properly restored for members to dine, unwind, and host guests in a befitting environment.”
The renovation will be undertaken by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the original builders of the club in 1991. Wike also confirmed that the club would remain temporarily closed during the upgrade to prevent further deterioration.
“It’s better we put things in proper shape now so that users can enjoy a world-class experience when the club reopens,” he said.
Beyond the facelift, Wike said the vision was to reposition the club as a potential tourist destination capable of attracting investment into the capital city.
To ensure sustainability, the minister urged the club’s Board of Trustees (BoT) to develop innovative strategies for generating revenue rather than depending entirely on government funding.
“While we are intervening as a government, I advise the BoT to come up with creative revenue models. We can’t rely on public funds alone,” he said.
Wike further explained that the BoT and the Interim Management Committee (IMC) were reconstituted to manage the club effectively, stressing that public assets must be properly maintained.
“The government is not known for efficiently running facilities. That’s why we’ve empowered the BoT and IMC to take charge. But we will not tolerate any attempt to undermine this process. The club belongs to us all and must be protected.”
In her remarks, the Chairperson of the BoT, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, thanked the minister for his commitment to restoring the club’s infrastructure. She appealed for the renovation to match the standards recently achieved at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.
Justice Dongban-Mensem, who also serves as President of the Court of Appeal, recalled that the club was established in 1991 with just 29 members. Today, she said, it boasts a membership of over 5,000, relying on the same aging facilities.
“The wear and tear on the infrastructure is evident,” she noted. “Upgrading the club will not only enhance user experience but also position it as a tourism and economic asset for the country.”
