The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Shade Tinubu has announced that her fundraiser, Oluremi Tinubu at 65 has raised the sum of NGN 20.7 billion so far towards the completion of the National Library project which was first conceived in 1981 but has remained incomplete ever since. She added that the project account will remain open till December 2025 to receive more donations from willing Nigerians towards the completion of the project. The construction is expected to be complete within two years.
TheMediaGood Newspaper reports that the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Shade Tinubu explained that as a teacher, the library impacted her so she was motivated to call for the donations towards the building of the National Library.
‘What is wrong in doing well or trying to build our country – if I could assist the post war building process in Liberia by donating the Oluremi Tinubu Elementary and Junior Secondary School in Monte Serrado County in Liberia, what is wrong in drawing attention to some of the areas of need in our beloved Nation.’
‘This is not the first time I have raised funds for causes close to my heart. For my 45th birthday, I raised ₦50 million to complete the National Sickle Cell Foundation Center, which has since become fully operational. For my 50th birthday, I raised ₦200 million for the New Era Foundation and other charities.’
‘I have played my part in this project, and believe Nigerians can raise the funds needed to complete the library. This is not just a project but a national treasure that will serve generations to come.’
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu added that the signatories to the account are the Minister of Education and the Chief Librarian of the Federation, insisting hers was to help drive the funds. She acknowledged various contributors, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and his wife, former President General Buhari, several former first ladies, Senate President and his wife, Speaker of the House of Representatives and his wife, and members of the National Assembly, governors forum and governors spouses, security chiefs and their wives, business moguls including Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Arthur Eze, Tony Elumelu, Jim Ovia among countless well-wishers.
The National Assembly Library project, initiated in 1981 and approved with funding in subsequent years, had faced decades of funding delays, with the budget escalating from ₦8.2 billion in 1981 to ₦23 billion as of 2023.