First Lady Senator Remi Tinubu on Tuesday said her 65th birthday fundraiser for the completion of the National Library has raised ₦20.4bn so far, even though the account remains open until December 2025 to accommodate more donations.
She made this known while hosting members of the State House press corps for lunch at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to her, the initiative tagged Oluremi@65 Education Fund is not politically motivated but a “love project” driven by her passion for education and the role libraries played in her life.
“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,” she said.
The First Lady explained that she had always raised funds for causes close to her heart.
She recalled raising ₦50m for the National Sickle Cell Foundation Centre at her 45th birthday and ₦200m for the New Era Foundation and other charities at 50.
Defending the project against claims of political undertones, she said, “What is wrong in doing well or trying to build our country? Suppose I could assist the post-war rebuilding process in Liberia by donating to the Oluremi Tinubu Elementary and Junior Secondary School. What is wrong with drawing attention to areas of need in our beloved nation?”
She disclosed that signatories to the education fund account are the Minister of Education and the Chief Librarian of the Federation, stressing that her role was only to drive awareness.
The project, first approved in 1981, has suffered repeated delays and budget escalations, rising from ₦8.2bn to ₦23bn as of 2023.
However, Mrs Tinubu assured that, with the support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, construction would be completed within two years.
Among those acknowledged for their contributions were President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and his wife, former President Muhammadu Buhari, former First Ladies, the leadership of the National Assembly, governors and their spouses, security chiefs, and business leaders, including Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Arthur Eze, Tony Elumelu, and Jim Ovia.
