The Federal Government has announced a significant financial boost to revive the long-abandoned National Library of Nigeria headquarters in Abuja. Approximately N25 billion has been amassed from gifts received by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu during her birthday celebrations, alongside funds from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa made the announcement following the Federal Executive Council's approval to augment the existing contract aimed at completing and furnishing the library complex. This project, which began on April 29, 2006, was originally slated for completion within two years but has faced delays since its abandonment in October 2008.

Dr. Alausa emphasized that President Bola Tinubu has played a crucial role in reviving the project by directing the ministry to seek out available funding sources. He stated, "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."

The minister highlighted the First Lady's initiative to direct her birthday gifts towards the library's completion, which resulted in the substantial financial contribution. "The First Lady, during her birthday, had gifts that she directed should be used for the National Library. That has generated about N25 billion," Alausa noted.

The combined funding from the First Lady's gifts and TETFund is expected to provide the necessary resources to resume construction work on the library. Alausa expressed optimism about the project, stating that it represents a significant milestone for Nigeria's education sector. He remarked, "Completing the complex is about more than finishing an abandoned building; it will serve as a national centre for learning, research, scholarship, information access, and the preservation of Nigeria’s intellectual heritage."

The National Library of Nigeria is the country's apex library, tasked with collecting, preserving, and providing access to Nigeria’s published intellectual heritage. The Abuja headquarters was envisioned as a major knowledge centre, but its prolonged abandonment has hindered the institution's ability to fulfill its mission.

With the recent approval for contract augmentation, the government aims to ensure that the National Library project is completed and fully furnished after nearly two decades of stalled progress. Dr. Alausa expressed gratitude for President Tinubu's intervention, stating that the administration has provided the necessary political will to revive this critical project for the nation.