FG taps N25bn First Lady’s gifts to revive National Library

The Federal Government has approved additional funding to complete the long-abandoned National Library of Nigeria headquarters in Abuja, with about N25bn raised from gifts donated during First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s 2025 birthday celebration forming part of the financing.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Sunday, saying the funds would be combined with allocations from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and other government resources.

The approval was granted by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to increase the existing contract for the completion and furnishing of the National Library headquarters.

The project, which began on April 29, 2006, was originally scheduled for completion within two years but was abandoned in October 2008.

Alausa said President Bola Tinubu directed the Ministry of Education to identify funding sources to revive and complete the project.

According to the minister, the First Lady directed that monetary gifts received during her birthday celebration be channelled towards the National Library, generating about N25bn.

He said the funds were pooled with TETFund resources before the FEC approved the augmentation of the existing contract.

The minister said the latest intervention was aimed at ensuring the project, which has remained incomplete for almost two decades despite successive government commitments, is finally completed.

The National Library headquarters is expected to provide a central facility for the country’s library and information services once construction and furnishing are concluded.