Oluremi Tinubu Mobilizes Over ₦20bn for National Library

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has announced that contributions have exceeded ₦20 billion for the construction of a modern National Library. The funds were raised through the “Oluremi Tinubu at 65 Fund,” an initiative launched to mark her 65th birthday and turn public goodwill into a lasting national legacy.

Speaking during an interactive session with State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Mrs. Tinubu said she deliberately chose to channel her milestone celebration toward national development.

Rather than receiving gifts or public tributes, she appealed to Nigerians to donate towards the National Library project. The result, she said, has been “overwhelming,” with contributions flowing in from individuals, private organizations, and community groups across the country.

“This is not about politics; it is about what I can do for my country,” she emphasised, clarifying that her decision was motivated by duty and patriotism, not political ambition.

The First Lady described the project as a beacon of knowledge that will serve as a hub for education, research, and cultural preservation. She added that building a world-class library is part of her broader commitment to advancing intellectual growth and learning opportunities for future generations.

The National Library has long been a symbol of Nigeria’s unrealised potential in knowledge infrastructure. Its construction, which started more than two decades ago, has been delayed by underfunding, bureaucracy, and shifting government priorities.

A long-stalled project

Education advocates have repeatedly warned that the absence of a central, fully functional National Library undermines the country’s knowledge economy. Many have argued that Nigeria’s young population, one of the fastest-growing in the world — needs access to modern learning facilities to compete in the global digital economy.

Mrs. Tinubu’s intervention is being hailed as a potential turning point. By using a personal milestone to rally support, she has opened a new model for civic participation and public-private collaboration in education.

Observers also note that the ₦20 billion already raised could accelerate construction timelines and provide momentum for government agencies to prioritise the project. It also signals to donors and philanthropists that education infrastructure can benefit from collective action rather than waiting on public budgets alone.

Stakeholders in the education sector are now watching closely to see how the funds will be managed and how quickly construction will progress. If successful, the project could serve as a case study for innovative funding approaches to national development.

With the library envisioned as a center for research, cultural archiving, and digital resources, analysts say its completion would strengthen Nigeria’s education ecosystem and support broader literacy initiatives.

Mrs. Tinubu has urged Nigerians to remain engaged and committed, promising transparency in the management of the funds and reiterating that the project is a gift to the nation, not a political statement.

See also: Tinubu to leave in 2031 – says aide