Enugu State Opens N25 Billion International Conference Centre, ‘Ọganiru’ for the East
Written by Uchenna on March 3, 2025
Enugu, Nigeria – Governor Peter Mba has officially inaugurated the new Enugu International Conference Centre (EICC), a project estimated to cost N25 billion. Located at Okpara Square in Enugu, the EICC aims to boost economic growth and tourism in the region.
“This project demonstrates our commitment to ‘ọganiru’ (progress) in Enugu State,” said Governor Mba at the opening ceremony. “We envision the EICC becoming a central hub for businesses, conferences, and cultural events, attracting investors and creating opportunities for our people. ‘Ọ ga weta mmụba na akụ na ụba’.”
The EICC features a main conference hall with a seating capacity of over 3,000 people, making it the largest in the South-East. It also includes two smaller halls: the Dome (500 capacity) and a multipurpose hall (1,500 capacity), suitable for workshops and smaller gatherings. An eight-story, five-star hotel with numerous rooms is nearing completion within the complex and is expected to open by 2025. A shopping mall with over 60 stores, offering a range of goods from local crafts to international brands, is also part of the EICC complex.
Project Manager, Mr. Emeka Ude, highlighted the challenges faced during the project’s development, which was inherited from the previous administration. “There were considerable challenges, ‘mana’ with the Governor’s unwavering support, we were able to deliver a world-class facility that the people of Enugu, ‘Ndi Enugu’, can be proud of. N’ka bu eziokwu.”
The EICC project has elicited mixed reactions. While some residents praise it as a significant step towards economic diversification and attracting foreign investment, others question the cost and whether it represents the best use of state resources, considering existing needs in sectors such as healthcare and education.
Mr. Chibuzo Okeke, a local businessman, remarked, “This is a welcome development. ‘Ọ ga-enyere aka’ (it will help) attract businesses and create jobs for our youth. We hope the government will ensure that local businesses benefit from the opportunities presented by this center.”
With the current state of the facility, it can cater to the current economic situation in Nigeria, and it will impact local businesses.
Critics also question whether the EICC will effectively compete with established conference centers in Lagos and Abuja, or the facility would just be there with no patronage.
The Enugu International Conference Centre represents a significant investment in the future of Enugu State. Whether it fully realizes its potential remains to be seen, ‘mana’ its impact on the region’s economy and visibility are undeniable, and the benefits to those who “gbalịa ike” (work hard) in the east.
