First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, says about ₦20.4 billion has been raised so far under the Oluremi@65 Education Fund to support the completion of Nigeria’s long-abandoned National Library headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking to State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, the First Lady explained that the fundraising initiative, launched on Sept. 18 ahead of her 65th birthday, is a national effort spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Education.
“This is not a pet project. It is a national effort. So far, we have raised ₦20.4 billion since this fund launched last week, and more are still coming,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu added that the account will remain open until December to allow further donations. She emphasised that the Minister of Education and the Chief Librarian of the Federation are the official signatories to ensure transparency and accountability.
She thanked Nigerians for responding to her appeal to donate to the fund instead of sending birthday gifts or paying for newspaper adverts.
The First Lady, a former senator and ex-First Lady of Lagos State, said the library project was deeply personal, as libraries played a vital role in her early development. She reaffirmed her belief in the transformative power of books and education.
Reflecting on her philanthropic record, Mrs Tinubu recalled raising ₦50 million for the National Sickle Cell Foundation Centre on her 45th birthday and ₦200 million for the New Era Foundation and other charities at 50.
“I have played my part in this project, and believe Nigerians can raise the funds needed to complete the library. This is not just a project but a national treasure that will serve generations to come,” she said.
She also dismissed speculations of political motives, insisting her focus is on supporting vulnerable communities and nation-building. She cited her earlier donation of a school in post-war Liberia as proof of her long-standing commitment to humanitarian causes.
The National Library project was first proposed in 1981 and construction began in 2006 with an initial contract of ₦8.59 billion, scheduled for completion within two years. However, by 2023, only 44 per cent had been completed. Current estimates put the completion cost at between ₦49.6 billion and ₦120 billion.
Located between the National Mosque and the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja, the project is considered a critical hub for education, research, and youth development.
In April, Education Minister, Mr Tunji Alausa, confirmed that construction would resume on June 1, following a directive from the Federal Government to TETFund to restart funding. The Nigerian Library Association has also renewed calls for urgent completion of the project, describing it as vital for national education and cultural preservation.
