Abuja (Nigeria): The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, says the National Library Fund has raised approximately N20.4 billion since its launch on Sept. 18, ahead of her 65th birthday.
Ahead of her birthday on Sept. 21, Mrs Tinubu unveiled a fundraising initiative aimed at completing the country’s long-abandoned National Library headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking to State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, she described the library project as deeply personal, reflecting her lifelong passion for education and learning.
She clarified that the initiative is not a pet project, but a national effort led by the Federal Ministry of Education under the “Oluremi at 65 Education Fund.”
Mrs Tinubu noted that the birthday account, Oluremi@65 Education Fund, will remain open till December to receive more donations from willing Nigerians towards the completion of the project.
She explained that signatories to the account are the Minister of Education and the Chief Librarian of the Federation, to ensure transparency and accountability, insisting that hers was to help drive the funds.
”So far we have raised N20.4bn since this fund launched last week, and more are still coming,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu expressed gratitude to Nigerians, whom she had urged to donate to the fund instead of sending her birthday gifts or placing congratulatory newspaper advertisements.
She shared how libraries shaped her early years, nurturing her curiosity and personal development, and reaffirmed her belief in the transformative power of books.
A former senator and First Lady of Lagos State, Tinubu, recalled her longstanding commitment to philanthropic causes, especially in education and public health.
”This is not the first time I have raised funds for causes close to my heart.
” For my 45th birthday, I raised ₦50 million to complete the National Sickle Cell Foundation Centre, which has since become fully operational.
For my 50th birthday, I raised ₦200 million for the New Era Foundation and other charities”.
”I have played my part in this project, and believe Nigerians can raise the funds needed to complete the library. This is not just a project but a national treasure that will serve generations to come.”
She dismissed speculations about political motives, stressing that her focus remains on giving back, supporting the vulnerable, and building a stronger nation.
”What is wrong in doing well or trying to build our country – if I could assist the post-war building process in Liberia by donating the Oluremi Tinubu Elementary and Junior Secondary School in Monte Serrado County in Liberia, what is wrong in drawing attention to some of the areas of need in our beloved Nation?”.
She drew inspiration from writers and leaders, referencing Khalil Gibran, a Lebanese Writer and U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s call to serve rather than wait for help.
”It doesn’t take much to do good. Most of the work I’ve ever done is not something new; I make it look big, and at the end of the day, it turns big.”
The First Lady acknowledged contributors from well-meaning Nigerians, including politicians and business leaders.
The National Library project was first proposed in 1981, and construction began in 2006 after a contract worth N8.59 billion was awarded, with a two-year completion target.
By 2023, only 44 per cent of the work had been done. Cost estimates for completion now range between N49.6 billion and N120 billion.
The project site, situated between the National Mosque and the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja, is considered a vital hub for education and youth engagement.
Successive administrations have pledged completion. In 2025, the Federal Government mandated TETFund to resume funding and restart construction of the project.
Minister of Education, Mr Tunji Alausa, confirmed in April that construction would resume on June 1, following detailed site assessments.
The Nigerian Library Association has also renewed its call for the urgent completion of the project, citing its importance to national education, research, and cultural preservation.
