ABUJA — The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, announced today that over N20 billion has been raised for the National Library Fund, just days after launching the initiative as part of her 65th birthday celebration. The fund, which was established to finance the completion of the long-stalled National Library of Nigeria headquarters in Abuja, has seen a significant outpouring of support from well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organizations.
In a statement to journalists at the State House Conference Centre, Mrs. Tinubu expressed her gratitude and confirmed the impressive fundraising total. The First Lady, who marked her 65th birthday on Sunday, September 21, 2025, had appealed to well-wishers to channel their gifts, cards, and newspaper greetings into donations for the library project. This gesture was described by her as “the best birthday present” she could receive.
The National Library of Nigeria headquarters, located between the National Mosque and the National Ecumenical Centre, has been a symbol of abandoned infrastructure for over two decades. With a physical completion rate of only 44 percent as of 2023, the project has been in desperate need of funding. While the government had recently directed the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to take over its completion, the First Lady’s intervention has injected much-needed capital and public awareness into the project.
The initiative has drawn a mix of reactions from the public. While many have lauded the First Lady’s vision and philanthropic spirit, others, including some political opposition, have argued that the funding of such a critical national asset should be the sole responsibility of the government through budgetary allocations, not through private donations. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other critics have pointed out that relying on goodwill for national infrastructure projects sets a concerning precedent.
Despite the criticism, supporters of the initiative, including the National Library’s Public Relations Officer, Orvell Diô, have praised the move for bringing national attention to the library’s plight and fostering a sense of collective ownership among citizens. The First Lady’s office has stated that the fund, coordinated by the Ministry of Education, is being managed with transparency and accountability, with a special account opened for all contributions.
The substantial funds raised within such a short period have raised hopes that the abandoned library project will finally be completed, providing a much-needed intellectual and cultural hub for the country.
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