From Victoria Jigah, Abuja
The Minister of Education, Dr.Tunji Alausa, has given marching orders to contractors and consultants, handling the National Library of Nigeria project, to meet the delivery timelines and maintain quality standards.
Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.
Alausa gave the directive at a meeting with stakeholders in the National Library project, including contractors, consultants and officials of the National Library of Nigeria, where he said the Federal Government was prepared to provide the necessary funding but would demand commensurate performance, quality and accountability in return.
The Minister said the government would establish reasonable delivery timelines and hold the contractors and consultants to the commitments contained in the agreements being developed for the project.
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He stressed that the era of allowing the National Library project to remain indefinitely under construction must end, noting that the new contractual arrangements would include appropriate incentives and disincentives to drive performance.
To further accelerate completion, Alausa disclosed that the project had been divided into two major components — physical infrastructure and furnishing — allowing both aspects to be pursued concurrently.
He assured the contractors that the government would make funds available to support the work, but made it clear that funding would be matched by strict expectations on delivery and adherence to agreed standards.
The Minister’s renewed push for the completion of the National Library is coming against the backdrop of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s prioritize of education and human capital development as key drivers of national transformation.
He described the National Library as far more than a physical structure, stressing that it is a critical national institution for learning, research, knowledge development and the building of Nigeria’s human capital.
He recalled that the National Library was conceived in 1981, while construction commenced in 2006 with an initial 24-month completion period. Despite the original target of 2008, the project remained unfinished for years.
He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for providing the political will and support required to move the project forward, describing the President as a leader who recognizes es education as essential to the nation’s future.
Alausa also commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her personal commitment to the project and her efforts to mobilise additional support towards its completion.
He also recalled that the First Lady, a former teacher and strong advocate for education, used her 2025 birthday to mobilise support for the National Library, raising about N25 billion within two months towards the project.
The Minister discribed the intervention as a demonstration of the First Lady’s commitment to education and the future of Nigerian children.
He further disclosed that the First Lady’s visit to the National Library of Qatar had influenced the Federal Government’s vision for the Nigerian facility, following her call for Nigerian officials and project stakeholders to study the world-class library and incorporate relevant modern features.
Alausa said the objective was not simply to complete the abandoned structure but to deliver a modern national institution capable of serving Nigerians to global standards.
The Minister commended the management of the National Library of Nigeria and other stakeholders for their contributions, while charging contractors and consultants to match the government’s renewed commitment with urgency, professionalism and accountability.
He stressed that the Ministry of Education, working with the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, would maintain close oversight of the project and ensure that stakeholders remained focused on delivering their respective responsibilities.
Alausa reaffirmed that the Federal Government would not compromise on quality, standards or value for money, stressing that every naira committed to the project must translate into a facility that Nigerians can use and be proud of.
He said the strong support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, had strengthened the drive to complete the project, adding that the Ministry of Education would remain focused on delivering a modern, inclusive and world-class National Library for Nigerians and generations to come.
