Alausa Lauds Tinubu for Reviving 18-Year Abandoned National Library

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reviving the National Library of Nigeria Headquarters Complex in Abuja, 18 years after the project was abandoned.

Alausa said the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the augmentation of the existing contract for the completion and comprehensive furnishing of the complex had provided the needed impetus to return the project to the construction stage.

The National Library headquarters project commenced on April 29, 2006, with an initial completion period of two years. However, work was halted in October 2008, leaving the massive structure unfinished for nearly two decades.

Speaking on the development, Alausa said Tinubu, upon assuming office, directed that resources be mobilised to complete the project, including funding 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.

He said the intervention was complemented by the efforts 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 interventions, helped to strengthen the financial resources available for the project.

Alausa said the Federal Executive Council had now approved the augmentation of the existing contract, paving the way for the completion and furnishing of the National Library headquarters.

“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 described the development as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s education sector, saying the completion of the National Library would go beyond providing another public facility.

He said the complex was conceived as a national knowledge centre capable of supporting learning, research and scholarship, providing access to information and preserving the country’s intellectual heritage.

Alausa said the revival of the project reflected the Tinubu administration’s determination to address the problem of abandoned critical infrastructure in the education sector and ensure that projects capable of delivering long-term value to Nigerians are completed.

He expressed appreciation to the President for his intervention, while also commending the First Lady for her contribution towards the project.

The minister said the renewed momentum around the National Library was evidence of the progress being recorded in the education sector under the present 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,” Alausa said.

He expressed confidence that the renewed funding and approval would enable the contractor to return to site and ultimately deliver a modern National Library headquarters worthy of its role as Nigeria’s premier repository of knowledge and information.

The completion of the facility, he added, would provide present and future generations with a national institution capable of supporting education, research and intellectual development.