Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has announced that over N20.4 billion has so far been raised to support the long-stalled National Library of Nigeria project. The fundraising effort, which she personally initiated, is aimed at generating N100 billion before the end of December 2025 to complete the project once described as a national embarrassment.
The initiative was launched in celebration of her 65th birthday on Sunday, September 21. Days before her birthday, the First Lady appealed to well-wishers to convert intended gifts such as cakes, advertorials, or souvenirs into donations for the library fund. The account created for the initiative is jointly managed by the Minister of Education and the National Librarian, and according to her, will be closed in December after the final transfer of funds to the project.
Speaking at a luncheon with State House correspondents in Abuja, Mrs. Tinubu stressed that the project was not political but a national cause. She said her role was simply to rally support for a venture that has been abandoned for decades, noting that libraries shaped her own life and should remain central to national education. “From a humble background, the library played a role in my life. This is not just about a building; it is about preserving knowledge for future generations,” she said.
The National Library project was first approved in 1981 under President Shehu Shagari but has suffered repeated delays and cost escalations. From an initial estimate of N8.2 billion, the projected cost rose to about N23 billion by 2023. Mrs. Tinubu expressed confidence that with renewed commitment from government and citizens, the structure could be completed within two years.
The First Lady also recalled her history of mobilizing resources for social causes. At her 45th birthday, she raised N50 million for the National Sickle Cell Foundation Centre, while at 50 she generated N200 million for the New Era Foundation. She insisted her latest effort is consistent with her philanthropic track record, dismissing speculation about political motives. “Helping to rebuild does not have a political undertone—it’s our duty as citizens,” she explained.
Mrs. Tinubu emphasized the importance of national unity and citizen participation, urging Nigerians to embrace collective responsibility. Quoting former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, she said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” She added that Nigerians should focus on what unites them rather than what divides them.
Acknowledging those who have already donated, she expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and his wife Nana, former First Ladies including Hajia Aisha Buhari, the leadership of the National Assembly, state governors and their spouses, security chiefs, and prominent business leaders such as Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Arthur Eze, Tony Elumelu, and Femi Otedola.
In her closing remarks, the First Lady likened the contributions to drops of water forming an ocean, calling on more Nigerians to join the cause. “A grain of sand and a drop of water can become a mighty ocean. Together, Nigerians can transform the country,” she declared, reiterating that the library is not merely a project but a national treasure for generations to come.
