The Federal Government has announced plans to resume construction of the National Library in Abuja, nearly two decades after the project stalled due to funding constraints. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the resumption of work, which is set to commence on June 1, 2025.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, confirmed that dedicated Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) resources will be utilized to restart the project. During a site inspection, Alausa emphasized the administration’s commitment to completing the project in phases, starting with the basement, ground, first, and second floors, alongside external works.
The project, originally designed in 1981 and launched in 2006, had been stalled since 2012. While initial estimates placed costs at N90 billion, revised figures are expected to reach hundreds of billions. Despite this, the government remains committed to efficient execution with available funds.
The National Librarian, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi, reaffirmed full agency support for the project. The President’s directive to allocate a specific percentage of TETFund’s budget to this critical project underscores the Federal Government’s dedication to enhancing Nigeria’s educational and cultural landscape.
With the reallocation of funds and a clear plan in place, the Ministry of Education is poised to reinvigorate this longstanding national asset.
