During workSeen from above with the Ibom Hotel tower beside itDuring workOverhead view of the oval hall and siteDuring workFront of the hall with the roof going onDuring workCurved roof and steel frame over the seating bowlDuring workWorkers on the steel roof truss and grating floor
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During workDuring workDuring workDesign modelDesign modelDuring workThe hall with a tower crane beside it, seen from aboveDuring workThe hall and its approach under construction, seen from above
About the project
The Ibom International Convention Centre is a 5,000-seat conference and events centre in the Ibom Tropicana complex in Uyo. The Akwa Ibom State Government under Governor Pastor Umo Eno is rebuilding and completing it, with Craneburg Construction as contractor.
Work on the centre began about 15 years earlier but stalled, leaving a costly unfinished structure. Governor Eno inspected the site in June 2024, ordered the recovery of encroached land and flagged off the new works on 24 May 2025, together with the 200-room Ibom Hotel.
The centre has a 5,000-seat main auditorium that can be split into smaller halls, breakout meeting rooms, office space, a technical building and internal roads. By about April 2026 the work was some 60 per cent complete, and in July 2026 a legislative committee was told that the materials for completion were on site, with completion targeted for September 2026.
When complete, the centre is expected to host national and international conferences, exhibitions and summits, alongside the Ibom Hotel, ARISE Shopping City and ARISE Palm Resort. The work on these Tropicana projects has created jobs for many workers, and the centre is meant to grow business tourism in line with the ARISE Agenda.
The project at a glance
StatusOngoing
Seats5,000
Kind of workTourism and recreation
ServesGovernment institutions and 4 more
Project timeline
Plannedannounced or approved
Work startedsite work begins
Ongoingwork under way
Finishedcompleted or commissioned
What was built
Main Convention Hall
Breakout Meeting Rooms
Event Facilities
Structural Works
Internal Roads
Conference Infrastructure
Support Services
Who it serves
People and places connected by this project.
Government institutions
Corporate organizations
International conferences and summits
Professional associations and event organizers
Tourists and visitors
Where it helps
Trade and income
Movement and access
Uyo LGA at a glance
Where this project sits among all 52 projects recorded in Uyo.
Completed 23Ongoing 28 (this project)Status not stated 1
Roads and bridges
15
Government and public buildings
10
Tourism and recreation
8
Flood and erosion control
5
Homes for vulnerable people
4
Impact Analysis
An assessment of the impact of these accomplishments on the people and communities.
For families and communities
The Convention Centre will provide a modern facility for conferences, seminars, exhibitions, government events, and international gatherings. It will enhance Akwa Ibom’s capacity to host major meetings and large-scale events within the State, rather than relying on external venues.
The facility will serve government institutions, private-sector organisations, international delegations, professional associations, and event organisers, while strengthening civic engagement and knowledge exchange within the region.
For work and income
The Convention Centre will stimulate business tourism by attracting conferences, conventions, exhibitions, and corporate events to Akwa Ibom State. This will generate demand for hotels, restaurants, transportation services, event planning companies, and other supporting businesses.
The project will increase visitor traffic, expand tourism-related revenue streams, and strengthen the State’s non-oil economic diversification strategy.
Jobs (estimated)
350direct jobs
1500indirect jobs
1400family members reached by direct jobs
6000family members reached by indirect jobs
Local workers and suppliers
The project engages engineers, architects, project managers, technicians, construction workers, equipment operators, artisans, and logistics personnel involved in structural development, finishing works, and supporting infrastructure. Local contractors and service providers are also contributing to construction activities and will benefit from future facility operations.
Size and expected return
Size
Ibom Tropicana Complex, Uyo
Expected return
Conference hosting, exhibitions, international events, tourism traffic, hospitality sector growth
Wider effect
Strengthens Akwa Ibom’s conference and events infrastructure
Positions Uyo as a national and regional meetings destination
Supports the State tourism master plan
Completes a major legacy infrastructure project
Project location
Uyo
The map shows the area. An exact project pin is still being confirmed.
