It has long been agreed that humanity would have neither a past nor a future without libraries. In fact, libraries are often regarded as powerful instruments of knowledge. Carlos María Domínguez, an Argentine writer, once viewed the creation of a library as the shaping of a life rather than a mere gathering of books. A true library, he suggests, endures as a trusted community space, a refuge for imagination, and a living archive of human memory.
A national library is the official library of a country, serving as the primary repository for its literature, historical records, and publications. It serves as a legal depository for works produced within the nation and plays a vital role in preserving the country’s cultural heritage.
Nigeria’s idea for a national library began to develop in the 1940s with significant influence from educational conferences and the collaboration between the Federal Government and the Ford Foundation, which was supported primarily through funding and technical assistance.
With the passage of the National Library Act of September 1964, Nigeria established its first national library and officially opened it for public use on November 6, 1964, with the headquarters originally in Lagos. Education experts do believe that between the period 1970s-1980s, Nigeria’s national library grew its collections and expanded services including branch libraries.
Although, initiated in 1981 by the Shehu Shagari civilian administration, in 1995, the Military Government of late General Sani Abacha moved the headquarters of the critical educational asset to Abuja as part of the broader national reorganization and development efforts with Abuja becoming the new Federal Capital Territory.
Quite sadly, since its movement to Abuja, the National Library has operated from rented premises with construction of a permanent building facing numerous delays and funding challenges. For its prolonged incompletion and repeated mismanagement spanning nearly two decades, the National Library project is obviously considered an embarrassment.
The Federal Government first awarded the contract for the National Library headquarters office in Abuja in 2006 with a completion deadline of 22 months. Despite having an initial cost of about N8.59 billion, five different administrations have passed with no sign of near completion.
Worrisome also, is that the design of the project has been altered multiple times. Investigations show that the Library is conceived as an 11-floor architectural landmark including two basement floors, a ground floor, and eight upper floors – planned to house a bookstore, locker rooms, a bindery, printing press, exhibition hall, auditorium, restaurants, clinic, crèches, and changing rooms, is now reduced significantly in structure.
Considering the persistent lack of political will and the consistent deprioritization of education, which have long fueled the neglect of the project, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s recent effort to push for the resumption of work at the Abuja Library is already earning widespread praise across the country.
The popular opinion is that Oluremi Tinubu’s initiative has not only brought essential resources to the National Library project but also spurred national reflection on the role of leadership and public commitment to education in the country.
In less than 24 hours, the First Lady, through her 65th birthday fundraising initiative, raised over 20 billion naira (about $13 million) and converted what are typically gifts and celebratory gestures into donations for a public good. She has undoubtedly rapidly generated significant support, which shines a spotlight on an important but neglected national project with a great effect on the education of the future.
Interestingly, the funds are expected to be managed transparently, with the Federal Ministry of Education serving as signatory, and reinforcing that this is a public—not private—legacy. The donation account remains open until December 2025, as a new target of two years is set under this arrangement to complete the National Library project.
According to the First Lady, her deliberate effort is about national service, not politics, and aims to revitalize a crucial educational resource for future generations. Oluremi Tinubu’s privileged position has yet to make her forget quickly how public libraries shaped her youth.
“This is not the first or second time I have raised money for a worthy cause,” she noted, recalling that at her 45th birthday, she raised N50 million for the completion of the National Sickle Cell Foundation Centre, and at 50, mobilized N200 million for the New Era Foundation and other charities,” she told reporters at the fund raising event in Abuja.
The unparalleled support of the First Lady also obviously complements the current administration’s effort through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), which has set aside an initial tranche of about N15 billion specifically for the completion of the library building. TETFund’s funding is however contingent on approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC), which once granted, will enable the commencement of construction activities to accelerate completion of the project.
The Northern Nigeria Minority Group is one organization among several others that have since commended the First Lady for the bold and humane decision explaining that it reflects the consistency of her decades-long commitment to youth development in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by its Convener, Chief Jacob Edi, the group described the initiative as historic and noted that Tinubu’s wife is Nigeria’s first First Lady to deploy her influence to champion a national project of such scale and public value.
“This quiet revolution reflects transparency, patriotism, and vision. By reviving a project abandoned for over 20 years, Her Excellency has rekindled a culture of reading and safeguarded the future of Nigerian youths,” the group said.
Writing on his Facebook page, Olabode Opeseitan –Editorial Architect Steward of Legacy Narratives stressed that Oluremi Tinubu is one of those rare leaders who rise above ceremonial trivialities to entrench indelible monuments.
“Like Barbara Bush, who championed literacy across America, and Queen Rania of Jordan, who built libraries for underserved communities, she joins a global league of First Ladies who turn compassion into infrastructure,” Olanode said.
What is certain is that First Lady Tinubu in the last two years has distinguished herself through her pet project- The Renewed Hope Initiative with extensive humanitarian works. The intervention for the National Library project appears only among her other numerous services including focusing on providing urgent relief, empowerment, and sustainable social development across Nigeria.
The First Lady continues to support displaced persons through comprehensive resettlement projects coupled with empowerment and skill acquisition programmes, aiming to restore dignity, safety, and economic independence to vulnerable people.
With fundraising contributions from business magnates such as Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Arthur Eze, Tony Elumelu, and Jim Ovia, along with the impressive amount raised so far, there is no doubt that the National Library project will finally come to fruition. After all, this is not the first time First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has supported a major national cause.
It is a truism that on her 45th birthday, she raised ₦50 million to complete the National Sickle Cell Foundation Centre (NSCC) in Lagos, which is now fully operational. Five years later, during her 50th birthday celebration, she raised ₦200 million in support of the New Era Foundation, among other initiatives.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu therefore, deserves every support in fulfilling her vision of leaving a transformative legacy, not only as a true catalyst for social change but also, as a humanitarian dedicated to fostering intellectual growth.
