₦airaland Forum

Adamawa Governor Fintiri Faces serious Backlash Over N19Billion Yola Conference Centre While Children Learn In Crumbling Classrooms, Under Trees

Many Adamawa residents say the multi-billion-naira venture represents yet another showpiece of wasteful spending in a state where basic education remains in ruins.

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State is facing criticism for continuing to channel billions of naira into the construction of an N18.97 billion International Conference and Events Centre in Yola, even as numerous schoolchildren across the state continue to learn under trees and in crumbling classrooms.

The controversial project, awarded to Lubell Nigeria Limited, is already under active construction.

Commissioner of Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Prambe, described the facility as an ultra-modern complex featuring a 1,000-seat main hall, a 360-seat auditorium, seminar rooms, catering and retail areas, medical and support facilities, CCTV security systems, and landscaped surroundings.


But many Adamawa residents say the multi-billion-naira venture represents yet another showpiece of wasteful spending in a state where basic education remains in ruins.

Across several communities, pupils are seen sitting on bare floors or under tree shades due to a chronic lack of classrooms and furniture. Teachers, some with over two decades of service, are still awaiting promotion arrears.

Like many other schools where pupils still learn under trees across the state, Kubaje Dadon Primary School in Mayo-Belwa LGA stands as a stark example of neglect.

“This is reckless governance,” said one education rights activist in Yola.

“You can’t justify spending N19 billion on a luxury event centre when our children don’t even have chairs or roofs over their heads.”

Critics have also questioned the logic of investing such a colossal sum in a hospitality and tourism project[b] at a time when Adamawa remains listed by the United Kingdom and several Western governments as a high-risk travel destination due to insecurity and insurgent activities.[/b]

They argue that in a region still battling banditry and extremist threats, there is no realistic prospect of attracting foreign investors, conference tourism, or international events, making the project’s justification hollow and unsustainable.

“Who is this conference centre meant for?” a Yola-based policy analyst, Benjamin Tenang, asked.

“Foreign investors are not coming to Adamawa, even locals barely travel at night due to insecurity. This project is simply a white elephant dressed in marble.”

Analysts and insiders familiar with state procurement patterns say such grandiose undertakings often serve as conduits for inflated contracts and political kickbacks disguised as “foreign investment drives.”

In most cases, the so-called international investors or consultants linked to these ventures are merely fronts used to legitimise large-scale diversions of public funds.

“They are designed to look good on paper, attract media attention, and create a pipeline for kickbacks under the guise of development partnerships. That’s why governors prefer concrete projects to real human investment. You can’t collect a percentage from a teacher’s salary, but you can from a billion-naira construction contract.”

Observers also accuse the Fintiri administration of using grand construction projects as political trophies while leaving core social sectors like education, healthcare, and rural development in deplorable condition.

“This government has chosen concrete over classrooms,” another civil society source lamented. “Adamawa doesn’t need an event centre right now; it needs functioning schools, qualified teachers, and a serious plan to lift the next generation.”

International observers note that Adamawa is currently rated a “Level 4 — Do Not Travel” zone by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), alongside other high-risk areas in Northern Nigeria.

The region also ranks among the least attractive destinations for foreign direct investment according to Nigeria’s 2024 security index.

Analysts say this further weakens any economic justification for the N19 billion project, describing it as “a grand illusion built on insecurity.”

Niccoloimhotep:
These northerners are something else

tobenuel:
you stole my ftc. just know that you owe me already

Niccoloimhotep:
These northerners are something else

Emzedz:
Wicked n useless politicians that's hw wike built ICC with 59 billion while school teachers in fct are on strike,, wat of hidi sirika with nigeria Air fraud with billions still missing

Emzedz:
Wicked n useless politicians that's hw wike built ICC with 59 billion while school teachers in fct are on strike,, wat of hidi sirika with nigeria Air fraud with billions still missing

nairalandankrah:
https://saharareporters.com/2025/12/01/adamawa-governor-fintiri-faces-backlash-over-n19billion-yola-conference-centre-while

DrChukki:
In another news, Kebbi state government approved N10bn loan for Hajj. In a state where their hospital wards looks like a dirty swimming pool.

This is a reason Peter Obi remains very far ahead of them. It doesn't make sense building gigantic projects while you're very low in HDI.

anonimi:
Anambra doctors call off strike after 13 months
February 28, 2012

After over a year of down tools, Anambra State Government employed medical doctors have finally called of strike.
According to Dr. Emma Ekwesianya, Chairman Anambra State chapter of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), the striking doctors decided to pick up tools again because of the plight of the ordinary people in the societ.
“It is true, we have called off the strike. We have just signed the agreement with government about an hour ago. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG) signed for the government. A technical committee, headed by Prof. O.O. Mbonu was set up to execute the agreement.” He confirmed.

“We decided to take the 60 per cent offered by government because of our people. Government has been rigid and we do not want to continue with the rigidity of government. We are serving the people, not government and our people are suffering.”
Speaking further, Ekwesianya, revealed that a technical committee, headed by Prof. O.O. Mbonu had also been set up by the association to see to the implementation of the agreement with government sequel to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Peter Obi-led government on Monday.

Chief Medical Director, Anambra State University Teaching Hospital (ASUTH), Amaku, Awka, Dr. Lawrence Ikeakor also confirmed the new development: “Well I’m happy to tell you that the strike has been amicably resolved, even though, like you said, it’s been a prolonged one but suffice it to say that it has been resolved and the doctors have resumed work.”
“The call off was yesterday (Sunday). The doctors had some negotiations and held their congress yesterday, during which they agreed to call off the strike. So they resumed duty today.
They are in their clinic. Well, I was not privy to the agreement but I will say that our representatives were satisfied with the arrangement, hence they decided to call off the strike.” He disclosed.

https://dailypost.ng/2012/02/28/anambra-doctors-call-off-strike-after-13-months/

Niccoloimhotep:
These northerners are something else

DrChukki:
In another news, Kebbi state government approved N10bn loan for Hajj. In a state where their hospital wards looks like a dirty swimming pool.

This is a reason Peter Obi remains very far ahead of them. It doesn't make sense building gigantic projects while you're very low in HDI.

anonimi:
Are you talking about the same Obi who had doctors on strike for 13 months as Anambra people were dying because he couldn’t care less?

The governors of the 36 states are not much different from each other, because 200 million Nigerians are united in our mediocre expectations of the looters we hail as tribal leaders.

michlins:
no sir they are not. This is the average Nigerian governor blowing public funds with zero care in the world. Buhari lamented about this same thing.

nairalandankrah:
https://saharareporters.com/2025/12/01/adamawa-governor-fintiri-faces-backlash-over-n19billion-yola-conference-centre-while

DrChukki:
In another news, Kebbi state government approved N10bn loan for Hajj. In a state where their hospital wards looks like a dirty swimming pool.

This is a reason Peter Obi remains very far ahead of them. It doesn't make sense building gigantic projects while you're very low in HDI.