Oluremi Tinubu, the Nigeria’s First Lady, says more than ₦20.5 billion has been raised to complete the long-delayed National Library headquarters in Abuja, following an appeal she launched for her 65th birthday.
The “Oluremi at 65 Education Fund” stood at ₦20,456,188,924.93 as of Tuesday, just two days after the First Lady’s subdued birthday observance. The initiative asked well-wishers to redirect birthday gifts such as cards, cakes, flowers and newspaper adverts into donations for the library project, which has been stalled for decades.
“This is my legacy gift to the nation,” the First Lady said at a luncheon with State House correspondents. “From a humble background, the library played a role in my life. That’s why I thought this is a worthy cause.”
She said the effort was not politically motivated but rooted in her long-standing commitment to education. During her 12 years in the Senate, Mrs. Tinubu served on the Committee on Education and sponsored initiatives to empower women, support youth development and strengthen social infrastructure.
Construction of the National Library began in the 1990s but has suffered repeated funding shortages and bureaucratic delays, leaving Nigeria without a modern national repository of books and records. The project, once completed, is expected to house more than 10 million volumes, provide research facilities, and serve as a hub for digital archiving and literacy programs.
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The Nigerian First Lady called on individuals, corporations and international partners to join in supporting the initiative, stressing that education is a foundation for sustainable national development. Donations have reportedly come from private philanthropists, business leaders and members of the Nigerian diaspora.
Education advocates and civil society groups have praised the fund, describing it as a rare example of elite philanthropy directed toward a critical public good. Analysts say the effort could help close Nigeria’s infrastructure gap in education while inspiring similar initiatives for other stalled projects.
Oluremi pledged transparency in managing the funds, noting that a dedicated committee will oversee disbursements to ensure the library is completed by 2027.
Her understated birthday celebrations, marked by quiet reflection and thanksgiving, have been widely seen as reinforcing the sincerity of the campaign. Supporters say the gesture sends a powerful message about using personal milestones to drive national progress.