Tinubu Moves To End 12-Year Abandonment Of National Library As Alausa Vows Uninterrupted Construction
The Federal Government has moved to prevent further delays in the construction of the National Library of Nigeria, with the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, assuring contractors of prompt payment and uninterrupted government support until the project is completed.
Dr Alausa gave the assurance on Wednesday during an inspection visit to the National Library project site in Abuja, where he declared that the Federal Ministry of Education would not allow construction work to stop again on the national edifice, which has remained abandoned for nearly 12 years.
“Our own commitment at the Federal Ministry of Education is that work will not stop for one day until we get to the point where we commission this building,” the Minister declared.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah,the minister warned contractors and consultants against allowing administrative bottlenecks, particularly delays in payment processing, to disrupt construction, directing them to report any challenges requiring his intervention.
“We have put processes in place on how the contractor will request for additional payment. I am going to speak publicly to all contractors and consultants today. If there are delays in processing, I need to know. I want to be bothered because this is a commitment to the Nigerian people,” he said.
Alausa disclosed that contractors had fully mobilised to site and commenced construction activities, expressing confidence that the project would be delivered within the agreed timeline.
He attributed the renewed momentum to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention and commitment to mobilising the necessary funding for the resumption of work, describing the completion of the National Library as a major priority of the administration.
Dr Alausa praised President Tinubu for recognising education as the foundation of national development and providing the necessary support to reposition the sector.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu knows exactly what this country needs. He knows that education is the bedrock of any egalitarian society. If any society must develop, it must educate its citizens. That is why this President has placed so much emphasis on education and given us all the support we need,” he stated.
He also commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her sustained advocacy and personal commitment to the completion of the project, noting that her intervention had helped secure additional funding and advance the vision of a modern National Library.
The Minister disclosed that the First Lady’s vision goes beyond establishing a national repository of knowledge to creating an inclusive cultural and educational landmark accessible to every Nigerian, including children and persons with disabilities.
He explained that the proposed facility would incorporate specialised spaces for children and persons with visual and hearing impairments, ensuring that the library caters to the diverse learning needs of Nigerians.
The visit preceded the formal flag off of the return to site by the First Lady, scheduled for Thursday, November 19, 2026.
Dr Alausa recalled that the National Library project commenced in 2006 with an initial two year completion target and was substantially completed in 2008 before construction activities were abandoned in 2014.
He described the prolonged abandonment of such an important national institution as regrettable, considering its significance to Nigeria’s educational, cultural and archival development.
However, he expressed satisfaction with the preparations for the resumption of construction, commending Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) for maintaining the site, securing the existing infrastructure and preventing encroachment throughout the years of inactivity.
The Managing Director of RCC, Engr. Nader Yusuf, thanked the Minister for the visit and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering the project within its stipulated 18 month timeline.
He assured the Minister that the company would comply with all directives, maintain the required construction standards and work towards the successful delivery of the facility.
The Minister also commended the Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr Olatunji David, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria, the Ministry’s management team, consultants and other stakeholders for their contributions towards the project’s revival.
He further acknowledged the commitment of the furnishing and equipment contractors, noting that the Federal Government was drawing from international best practices, including lessons from the Qatar National Library, to ensure that the completed facility meets modern standards.
According to him, the National Library, when completed, will serve as a major cultural and educational hub, hosting international conferences, attracting tourists and providing access to Nigeria’s historical records, archives and cultural heritage.
He charged the management of the National Library to ensure that the facility becomes a vibrant centre of learning, research and public engagement rather than merely a building housing books and archival materials.
Dr Alausa reiterated the Federal Government’s determination to complete the project within the agreed timeframe, assuring Nigerians that the Ministry would maintain close supervision and ensure that financial and administrative processes do not impede construction.
