President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved additional funding for the completion and comprehensive furnishing of the National Library of Nigeria Headquarters Complex in Abuja, a project that has remained abandoned for 18 years.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, disclosed this while commending the President for what he described as a decisive intervention in reviving the long-delayed project.
According to Alausa, the Federal Executive Council approved the augmentation of the existing contract for the completion and furnishing of the National Library complex.
The Minister said the development followed President Tinubu’s directive to mobilise the necessary resources to complete the project, including funding support from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund.
“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 Tertiary Education Trust Fund, and we’ve cobbled some funds together,” Alausa said.
Construction of the National Library Headquarters began on April 29, 2006, with an initial completion timeline of two years. However, work was halted in October 2008, leaving the structure unfinished through successive administrations.
Alausa also acknowledged the contribution of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who directed that gifts received during her birthday celebration be channelled towards the completion of the project.
The Minister said the initiative generated about ₦25 billion, which, alongside funds sourced through TETFund and other financing efforts, has strengthened the financial base for the project’s completion.
“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,” he said.
Alausa expressed optimism that construction would resume fully in the coming months, describing the development as a major milestone for Nigeria’s education sector.
He said completing the National Library would go beyond providing a physical structure, noting that the facility is expected to serve as a national knowledge centre for learning, research, scholarship, information access and the preservation of Nigeria’s intellectual heritage.
The Minister further described the President’s intervention as evidence of the administration’s commitment to completing critical education infrastructure, particularly projects that have remained unfinished for several years.
“Abandoned National Library for 18 years, President Bola Tinubu has now been able to mobilise funds, cobbled funds together, for work to go back, to start again at the National Library. We thank you, Mr. President,” Alausa said.
He expressed confidence that the renewed funding would lead to the eventual completion and furnishing of the headquarters, transforming the abandoned structure into a functional national centre of knowledge for present and future generations.
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