Hamza Muhammad Uba
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.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this while commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his intervention to revive the 18-year-old abandoned project.
He said President Tinubu, upon assuming office, directed the mobilisation of 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.
He directed that we source funds from Tertiary Education Trust Fund, and we’ve cobbled some funds together,” the Minister said.
The Minister also acknowledged the contribution of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who directed that gifts received during her birthday celebration be channelled towards the completion of the National Library.
According to him, the initiative generated about N25 billion, which, alongside funds sourced through TETFund and other efforts, has 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,” Dr Alausa declared.
Construction of the National Library Headquarters began in 2006 and was initially scheduled for completion within two years, but work stopped in 2008, leaving the project abandoned through successive administrations.
Dr Alausa expressed optimism that construction would resume fully in the coming months, describing the development as a major milestone for the education sector.
He said the facility would serve as a national knowledge centre for learning, research, scholarship, information access and the preservation of Nigeria’s intellectual heritage.
The Minister expressed confidence that the renewed effort would lead to the completion and furnishing of the National Library Headquarters, transforming the long-abandoned structure into a functional national centre of knowledge.
