The
new AICC (also known as the OAU ICC) was built in 1991 to host the extra-
ordinary session of the Organization of African Unity Heads of Government
meeting in Nigeria.
The new wing was designed by Albert Speer & Partner and built by Julius
Berger Nig.
Ltd. It is a fully air-conditioned centre with interlinked but separate
halls; the Africa Hall and Gallery, Foyer, the Mezzanine floor and Banquet
Hall.
The original building was constructed in the 1980s and is most famously remembered as the home of the President Ibrahim Babangida Government’s Constituent Assembly that was responsible for reviewing and redrawing the Constitution of the Federal Republic. It is now a wing to the (newer) main building and is presently serving as an annex to the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja.
In the last decade and a half the Centre has played host to several International,
Regional and National political, social, cultural, economic and religious
conferences, summits, meetings, seminars, ceremonies and programmes.
The AICC
is equipped with a wide range of facilities including;
• A Foyer with 2 Nos. offices (capable of hosting stands, fairs,
displays, receptions).
• An outdoor Arcade (along the length of the South side of the Africa
Hall).
• An Executive Session Room (200 person capacity executive meeting/conference).
• VIP Lounge (56 seat lounge off the Executive Session Room).
• Africa Hall (2000 seat main conference hall, occasionally converted
to Banquet
Hall) with attached kitchen facilities.
• Gallery (above Africa Hall – 900 seat capacity).
• Gallery Snack Bar (60-100 persons capacity, fully fitted F&B
service bar)
• 2 Nos. Committee Rooms (40-60 seat capacity).
• Aso Hall (100-250 persons capacity) convertible to Press centre
and
communications studio.
• 12 Nos. Admin & Operations Offices.
• Basement facilities (for Admin & Operations).
• Facilities for the physically challenged, in line with international
standards.
• Independent back-up power supply from three (3 Nos.) 950KVA generators.
• Automatic fire detection and sprinkler systems throughout the
building.
• Water Fountain in front of main entrance.
