…Insists Fund is a National Cause as Donations Pour ln
By John Paul
First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, says the National Library fund has so far raised about ₦20.4 billion since its launch on September 18, ahead of her 65th birthday.
Unveiling the initiative at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, she explained that the fundraising effort was designed to complete the country’s long-abandoned National Library headquarters in Abuja. She described the project as deeply personal, rooted in her lifelong passion for education and learning.
She clarified that the initiative is not a pet project, but a national undertaking led by the Federal Ministry of Education under the “Oluremi at 65 Education Fund.”
According to her, the birthday account will remain open until December to allow more Nigerians to contribute toward the project’s completion. She noted that the Minister of Education and the Chief Librarian of the Federation are signatories to the account for transparency and accountability, while her role is to drive awareness and mobilise support.
“So far, we have raised ₦20.4 billion since this fund launched last week, and more are still coming,” she said.
Mrs. Tinubu expressed gratitude to Nigerians who heeded her call to donate to the fund instead of sending birthday gifts or publishing congratulatory adverts. She spoke of how libraries shaped her early years, nurturing her curiosity and development, and reaffirmed her belief in the transformative power of books.
A former senator and First Lady of Lagos State, she recalled her longstanding commitment to philanthropic causes, particularly in education and public health.
“This is not the first time I have raised funds for causes close to my heart. For my 45th birthday, I raised ₦50 million to complete the National Sickle Cell Foundation Center, which has since become fully operational. For my 50th birthday, I raised ₦200 million for the New Era Foundation and other charities,” she said.
“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 dismissed speculations of political motives, stressing her focus on giving back, supporting the vulnerable, and contributing to national development.
“What is wrong with doing well or trying to build our country? If I could assist the post-war rebuilding process in Liberia by donating the Oluremi Tinubu Elementary and Junior Secondary School in Monte Serrado County, then what is wrong with drawing attention to areas of need in our own nation?” she asked.
Drawing inspiration from writers and leaders, she referenced Khalil Gibran and former U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s call to serve, noting: “It doesn’t take much to do good. Most of the work I’ve ever done is not something new; I just make it look big, and at the end of the day, it turns out big.”
The First Lady acknowledged contributions from politicians, captains of industry, and other well-meaning Nigerians.
The National Library project was first proposed in 1981, with construction beginning in 2006 after a contract award of ₦8.59 billion and a two-year completion target. By 2023, however, only 44 per cent of the work had been completed, while new cost estimates range between ₦49.6 billion and ₦120 billion.
The project site, located between the National Mosque and the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja, is considered a critical hub for education and youth engagement. Successive governments have pledged its completion.
In 2025, the Federal Government mandated TETFund to resume financing and restart construction of the library. Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, confirmed in April that work would resume on June 1 after detailed site assessments.
The Nigerian Library Association has also renewed calls for urgent completion, citing the institution’s importance to education, research, and cultural preservation.