Alausa: FEC approved funds to complete 18-year-abandoned National Library after Remi Tinubu, TETFund interventions
Tunji Alausa, the minister of education, says the federal executive council (FEC) has approved the augmentation of the existing contract for the completion and comprehensive furnishing of the National Library of Nigeria headquarters complex in Abuja, a project that has been abandoned for 18 years.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Alausa described the approval as a major intervention by President Bola Tinubu to revive the long-delayed project.
Alausa said construction of the National Library headquarters began on April 29, 2006, with an initial completion period of two years, but work stopped in October 2008.
The minister said Tinubu, upon assuming office, directed the ministry to source funds to complete the project, including 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,” the statement reads.
He directed that we source funds from Tertiary Education Trust Fund, and we’ve cobbled some funds together.”
He also commended Oluremi Tinubu, first lady, for her contribution towards the project.
According to the minister, the first lady directed that gifts received during her birthday celebration be channelled towards the completion of the National Library, generating about N25 billion.
Alausa said the funds raised, combined with resources sourced through TETFund and other interventions, had strengthened the financial base for completing 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,” he said.
The minister expressed optimism that construction work would resume fully in the coming months, describing the development as a significant milestone for the education sector.
He said completing the National Library is about more than finishing a building, describing the facility as a national knowledge centre that would support learning, research, scholarship and access to information, while preserving Nigeria’s intellectual heritage.
Alausa said the president’s intervention underscored the importance attached to completing critical education infrastructure, particularly projects that had remained unfinished for several years.
He thanked Tinubu for supporting efforts to revive the project and commended the first lady for her contribution.
The minister said the revival of the National Library was part of broader progress in the education sector under the Tinubu administration.
“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.
Alausa expressed confidence that the renewed funding would lead to the eventual completion and furnishing of the National Library headquarters, transforming the abandoned structure into a functional national centre of knowledge for present and future generations.
