First Lady Oluremi Tinubu raises N20.4bn for the completion of Nigeria’s National Library, asking well-wishers to donate to the fund instead of sending birthday gifts.. Photo Credit: Punch
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu announced on Tuesday that the National Library fund has raised N20.4 billion since its launch last Thursday, September 18, 2025.
Speaking to journalists at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, Mrs Tinubu said:
“So far we have raised N20.4bn since this fund launched last week, and more are still coming.”
Ahead of her 65th birthday on Sunday, September 21, the First Lady appealed to well-wishers to donate to the fund for the completion of the country’s long-delayed National Library, rather than sending gifts, flowers, or newspaper adverts.
“This will be the best birthday present I have ever received. My love for education has informed my decision to dedicate my birthday to this worthy cause,” she said, adding that contributions should go to the Oluremi@65 Education Fund, coordinated by the Ministry of Education.
National Library Project
The National Library headquarters in Abuja, first proposed in 1981, has been under construction since 2006. Originally awarded for N8.59bn and expected to be completed in under two years, the project has faced repeated delays and cost escalations. By 2023, only 44% of the 12-storey complex was completed, with estimates ranging from N49.6bn to N120bn needed to finish construction.
Located between the National Mosque and the National Ecumenical Centre, the library has long symbolized stalled infrastructure in Nigeria. In 2025, the Federal Government directed the Tertiary Education Trust Fund to resume construction, with the Education Minister, Tunji Alausa, confirming work would restart by June 1 following site assessments.
The Nigerian Library Association emphasized the urgent need for completion, highlighting the library’s importance for education, research, and cultural preservation.
Mrs Tinubu, a former senator and First Lady of Lagos State, has consistently championed causes related to education, women’s empowerment, and youth development.
About the Author
