The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the augmentation of the existing contract for the completion and comprehensive furnishing of the National Library of Nigeria Headquarters Complex in Abuja.
The approval by the Federal Executive Council is expected to pave the way for the resumption of work on the project, which has remained stalled for 18 years.
Speaking on the development, Dr. Alausa said the President’s intervention had provided the leadership and resources required to revive the long delayed project, describing it as another indication of the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming the education sector.
Construction of the National Library Headquarters commenced on April 29, 2006, with an initial completion period of two years. However, work was halted in October 2008, leaving the major facility unfinished through successive administrations.
The Minister said President Tinubu, upon assuming office, directed the mobilisation of funds to ensure the project’s completion, including financial support from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
“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 Tertiary Education Trust Fund, and we’ve cobbled some funds together,” he said.
Dr. Alausa also acknowledged the contribution of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who directed that gifts received during her birthday celebration be channelled towards the project.
According to the Minister, the initiative generated about ₦25 billion, which, alongside funds sourced through TETFund and other interventions, has strengthened the financial base for the project.
“Combined with the money we’ve sourced from TETFund, the Council today approved the augmentation of the existing contract for the completion of the construction of the National Library of Nigeria Headquarters Building Complex in Abuja,” Dr. Alausa said.
He expressed optimism that construction would resume fully in the coming months, describing the approval as a major milestone for the education sector and a significant step towards ending years of uncertainty over the project.
The Minister stressed that the importance of the National Library extends beyond the completion of its physical structure, noting that the facility is designed to serve as a national centre for knowledge, learning, research, scholarship, information access and the preservation of Nigeria’s intellectual heritage.
He said the decision to revive the project reflects the administration’s commitment to completing critical education infrastructure, particularly projects that have remained abandoned for extended periods.
Dr. Alausa expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his support and leadership in moving the project towards completion, while also commending Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her contribution to the funding initiative.
He said the revival of the National Library forms part of the broader progress being recorded in the education sector under the Tinubu administration and expressed confidence that the completed facility would provide Nigerians with a modern national institution worthy of its purpose.
“Abandoned National Library for 18 years, President Bola Tinubu has now been able to mobilise funds, cobbled funds together, for work to go back, to start again at the National Library. We thank you, Mr. President,” he said.
The Minister said the renewed momentum would ultimately lead to the completion and furnishing of the headquarters, transforming the long-delayed structure into a functional national centre of knowledge for present and future generations.
