20 Years After Construction Began, FG Targets 2028 Completion Of N180.829bn National Library

The federal government has set 2028 as the new completion target for the permanent headquarters of the National Library of Nigeria in Abuja, nearly two decades after construction stalled, with about N180.52 billion expected to be mobilised through government funding approvals and private contributions.

The renewed intervention came ahead of the formal flag-off of the return to site by the first lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, scheduled for November 19, 2026 and is expected to address the longstanding infrastructure deficit affecting the development of the country’s foremost national information institution.

However, the prolonged delay has raised concerns about Nigeria’s capacity to provide adequate infrastructure for research, access to information, preservation of historical records and protection of its intellectual heritage.

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, disclosed the new completion target during an inspection of the project site in Abuja, assuring Nigerians that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was determined to complete the long-delayed national edifice.

Alausa said contractors had fully mobilised to the site and commenced construction activities, expressing confidence that the project would be delivered within the agreed timeframe.

He also assured contractors that the Federal Government would establish efficient payment mechanisms to prevent financial and administrative bottlenecks from disrupting construction.

“Our own commitment at the Federal Ministry of Education is that work will not stop for one day until we get to the point where we commission this building,” the minister said.

The minister, who was quoted in a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, said the government would closely monitor the project to ensure uninterrupted execution.

He warned that any delay in processing payments or other administrative challenges must be brought to his attention immediately.

“We have put processes in place on how the contractor will request for additional payment. I am going to speak publicly to all contractors and consultants today. If there are delays in processing, I need to know. I want to be bothered because this is a commitment to the Nigerian people,” he stated.

The renewed commitment is backed by the Federal Executive Council’s approval of N118.309 billion for construction and an additional N37 billion for furnishing, bringing the approved government funding requirement to N155.309 billion.

This is expected to be complemented by N25.52 billion generated through the First Lady’s Oluremi@65 Education Fund, bringing the combined government approvals and private contributions to approximately N180.52 billion, according to the figures announced.

The funding intervention comes against the backdrop of repeated increases in the project’s cost, which was initially awarded at N8.59 billion but suffered setbacks arising from inadequate funding, rising construction costs and bureaucratic bottlenecks.

Conceived in 1981, the National Library project was designed to provide Nigeria with a central repository for its documentary heritage and a modern institution capable of supporting research, scholarship and access to information.

However, construction of its permanent headquarters in Abuja did not commence until April 29, 2006, under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The project was initially awarded at N8.59 billion, with a completion timeline of approximately two years. Construction eventually stalled in October 2008, leaving the structure unfinished despite the initial 2008 completion deadline.

By 2013, the project cost had reportedly risen to N18 billion, while subsequent reviews pushed the estimated completion cost significantly higher.

Successive administrations made efforts to revive the project, but financial constraints, administrative challenges and escalating construction costs frustrated attempts to deliver the national edifice.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari, before leaving office in 2023, approved the takeover and financing of the project by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

The then Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, also promised to ensure its completion by 2025 before his eventual removal from office.

Upon assuming office, President Bola Tinubu directed that the necessary resources be mobilised to complete the project, including funding support from TETFund.

The minister had earlier indicated in 2025 that construction would resume by June of that year, but the anticipated timeline was not achieved.

The absence of a completed purpose-built headquarters has delayed the availability of expanded facilities required to accommodate the institution’s growing responsibilities.

Although the National Library continues to operate through its existing facilities, state branches and digital platforms, the unfinished headquarters represents a significant infrastructure gap in the country’s information management system.

The challenge is particularly important at a time when research institutions and universities increasingly depend on digital repositories, modern cataloguing systems, electronic databases and specialised information services.

The completion of the headquarters is therefore expected to provide additional capacity for the institution’s responsibilities, including the preservation of Nigeria’s documentary heritage and improved access to information.

The National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria, Professor Chinwe Veronica Anunobi, has expressed the institution’s commitment to ensuring that the renewed construction effort meets the Federal Government’s delivery timeline.

In preparation for the formal flag-off of the return to site by the first lady on November 19, 2026, Anunobi said she led members of the institution’s management team to a meeting with the contractors and consultant handling the project.

According to her, they included Reynolds Construction Company (RCC), the building contractor; Havila Group, the furnishing contractor; and OIA International, the consultant.

The National Librarian charged all parties to work harmoniously and in synergy to deliver a quality project within the stipulated timeframe.

“We will be doing the push to the consultant, to the contractor, to make sure that the timelines given by the Honourable Minister are actualised. “Ours is to push and also to receive money from and make the payments,” she said.

Meanwhile, a significant part of the renewed funding effort came through the intervention of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

Ahead of her 65th birthday celebration on September 21, 2025, she appealed to Nigerians, friends and well-wishers to channel resources intended for birthday gifts, cakes, flowers and newspaper advertisements towards completing the National Library.

The initiative, tagged Oluremi@65 Education Fund, generated N25.52 billion as of December 31, 2025.

The first lady had described the completion of the library as the most meaningful birthday gift she could receive, citing her passion for education and the importance of preserving Nigeria’s intellectual heritage.

A researcher familiar with Nigeria’s academic and information management sector said the prolonged delay in completing the National Library headquarters had implications for research, scholarship and the preservation of the country’s documentary heritage.

The researcher, who requested anonymity pending permission to speak publicly, said the absence of a purpose-built national library facility could limit access to specialised research resources, archival materials and modern information management facilities.

According to the researcher, a functional National Library should serve as more than a book repository, providing an essential platform for researchers, students, historians and other knowledge seekers to access reliable information and historical records.

“The National Library is a critical institution for national development. Its responsibility goes beyond keeping books; it is also about preserving the country’s intellectual heritage and ensuring that knowledge remains accessible to present and future generations,” the researcher said.

The researcher added that the completion of the Abuja headquarters should be accompanied by investment in digital infrastructure, modern archival facilities, research resources and professional staffing to ensure that the building delivers its intended benefits.

The researcher, however, urged the federal government to ensure that the latest revival effort is backed by sustained funding, transparent monitoring and strict adherence to the 2028 completion target.