The long-abandoned National Library Headquarters project in Abuja has received a fresh lifeline, thanks to an intervention led by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
At her 65th birthday celebration, Tinubu launched the Oluremi @65 Education Fund, which raised ₦20.7 billion toward completing the stalled national monument. The National Library project, initiated in 2006, has languished for nearly two decades due to funding shortfalls, contract disputes, and shifting government priorities.
According to project estimates, full completion requires ₦32 billion. With the new contributions, the government can now complete the main reading halls, digital infrastructure, children’s literacy wing, and public access areas, leaving a funding gap of ₦11.3 billion for finishing touches and specialized facilities.
President Bola Tinubu has already directed the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to support the final phases of construction, signaling strong federal backing for the effort.
In his remarks, former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi welcomed the renewed momentum but questioned why such a critical national institution should rely on donations tied to birthdays or private initiatives. Observers, however, note that Obi’s critique underscores a long-standing challenge of institutional neglect rather than diminishing the significance of the First Lady’s drive.
Comparisons have been drawn to global examples where leaders’ spouses spearheaded literacy and library projects. Barbara Bush in the United States and Queen Rania of Jordan are cited as counterparts who turned advocacy into lasting infrastructure for education and literacy.
Analysts argue that Nigeria’s private sector and philanthropic community should now match Tinubu’s efforts, either by sponsoring sections of the project or contributing books and resources. Historically, major public libraries such as the New York Public Library and the British Library were completed with a mix of government support and citizen philanthropy.
For many education advocates, Oluremi Tinubu’s intervention is more than symbolic. It represents a chance to finally deliver on a promise to Nigeria’s 130 million citizens, providing a modern hub for research, literacy, and digital learning.
“The First Lady has not only marked her birthday but also marked a turning point,” said Olabode Opeseitan, Editorial Architect and commentator on legacy projects. “She is shaping the legacy of a generation by reviving the heart of a national institution.”
The project’s renewed momentum has reignited hope that the National Library will soon move from an abandoned site into a functioning center of knowledge and culture, anchoring Nigeria’s intellectual future.
