After nearly two decades of abandonment, Nigeria’s national library project is finally set to restart construction by June 2025.
Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa, disclosed this in Abuja yesterday while inspecting the project.
The project whose construction began in 2006 and was initially scheduled for completion in 2008, faced numerous setbacks, with work coming to a halt in 2012.
Before he handed over power to President Bola Tinubu, former President Muhammadu Buhari approved the takeover and financing of the multi-billion naira library edifice by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
The then Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, upon assuming office in 2023, promised to ensure the completion of the project by 2025 before his eventual sack.
However, Minister Alausa said that under the leadership of President Tinubu, the project has regained momentum, and the first phase of the project, which includes essential structural and aesthetic work, will lay the foundation for the completion of this long-awaited national asset.
He emphasised the significance of the National Library for human capital development, stating the President’s commitment to the country’s future and the innovative approach being adopted to complete the monumental project.
“We had three national monuments that were planned for the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja. We have the National Mosque, the National Ecumenical Centre, and the National Library.
“Ironically, today, almost 40 years after the National Mosque has been completed, the Ecumenical Centre has also been completed, yet we’re still battling to complete the National Library.
“The president believes so much in the capabilities of our youth, the future of our youth, and their abilities to move this country forward. And that’s why the president is committed to moving this project forward. As I said, it was designed in 1981 and construction started in 2006.
“And I can tell you today, the president has directed TETFund to set aside a certain percentage of their budget for us to start using for this project. My predecessor was here one year ago. My predecessor did everything possible for us to get to this point. We now have some money to move back to the site.
“We have a dedicated fund from TETFund to move back to the site. And I’ve spoken to the consultant and the contractors that we have a deadline of moving back to the site on or before June of this year, 2025.
“So, what we’re doing now is dividing it into phases. The first phase will commence on or before June 2025. And let me repeat what the first phase entails. Basement level one, basement level two, ground floor, first floor, and second floor. And all external work. We will finish all the perimeter work and the aesthetic parts of this building,” he added.
Also speaking, Professor Chinwe Veronica Anunobi, the National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria (NLN), assured that the National Library would push for effective paperwork.
“We will be doing the push to the ministry, 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 TETFund and make the payments,” she said.
