N25bn First Lady’s gifts, TETFund funds pooled to revive abandoned National Library – Alausa

Nigeria's Federal Government is set to revive the long-abandoned National Library of Nigeria headquarters in Abuja, utilizing approximately N25 billion in gifts received by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and funds from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). The project, which commenced in April 2006, was initially slated for completion within two years but was abandoned in October 2008.

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President Bola Tinubu, when he came in, mandated that we look for funds, real funds, that we use in completing this National Library. He directed that we source funds from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, and we’ve cobbled some funds together.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, revealed that President Bola Tinubu's administration has injected new momentum and resources into the project. Alausa stated that the President directed the ministry to explore all available funding sources, including TETFund, to ensure the library's completion. "President Bola Tinubu, when he came in, mandated that we look for funds, real funds, that we use in completing this National Library. He directed that we source funds from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, and we’ve cobbled some funds together," Alausa said.

Significantly, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, directed that gifts received during her birthday celebration be channeled towards the National Library project. This initiative generated about N25 billion, which has now been combined with TETFund allocations and other sourced funds. "The First Lady, during her birthday, had gifts that she directed should be used for the National Library. That has generated about N25bn," the minister explained.

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The First Lady, during her birthday, had gifts that she directed should be used for the National Library. That has generated about N25bn.

The Federal Executive Council has approved the augmentation of the existing contract for the completion and comprehensive furnishing of the complex. Minister Alausa expressed optimism that construction work would resume fully in the coming months. He described the project's revival as a significant milestone for the education sector, emphasizing its role as a national center for learning, research, scholarship, information access, and the preservation of Nigeria's intellectual heritage.

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Combined with the money we’ve sourced from TETFund, the Council today approved the augmentation of the existing contract for the completion of the construction of the National Library of Nigeria Headquarters Building Complex in Abuja.