The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has given marching orders to contractors and consultants handling the National Library of Nigeria project to meet the delivery timelines to be established by the Nigerian Government, maintain quality standards and avoid further delays, warning that failure to meet agreed targets will attract sanctions.
Alausa gave the directive in Abuja during a meeting with stakeholders involved in the project, including contractors, consultants and officials of the National Library of Nigeria.
The minister said the Nigerian Government was prepared to provide the necessary funding but would demand commensurate performance, quality and accountability in return.
“This is a change day. We will make you accountable for the timelines we’re going to set for ourselves,” Alausa stated.
He explained that the government would establish reasonable delivery timelines and hold contractors and consultants to the commitments contained in agreements being developed for the project.
The minister stressed that the era of allowing the National Library project to remain indefinitely under construction must end, noting that the new contractual arrangements would include appropriate incentives and disincentives to drive performance.
“If you’re not meeting your guidelines, the timelines, I’m sorry, you’ll be penalised,” Alausa warned.
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To further accelerate completion, he disclosed that the project had been divided into two major components — physical infrastructure and furnishing, allowing both aspects to be pursued concurrently.
Alausa assured the contractors that the government would make funds available to support the work but made it clear that funding would be matched by strict expectations on delivery and adherence to agreed standards.
The minister’s renewed push for the completion of the National Library comes against the backdrop of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s prioritisation of education and human capital development as key drivers of national transformation.
Alausa described the National Library as far more than a physical structure, stressing that it is a critical national institution for learning, research, knowledge development and the building of Nigeria’s human capital.
He recalled that the National Library was conceived in 1981, while construction commenced in 2006 with an initial 24-month completion period. Despite the original target of 2008, the project remained unfinished for years.
The Minister observed that the National Library occupies a prominent position in Abuja’s Central Business District, alongside other major national edifices, including the National Mosque and the National Christian Centre, formerly known as the National Ecumenical Centre, noting that both landmarks were completed earlier.
He said the renewed attention being given to the project reflected a fundamental shift in the Nigerian Government’s approach to education infrastructure under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to Alausa, the President has demonstrated strong political commitment to education through increased attention to the sector and innovative financing arrangements aimed at completing critical projects such as the National Library.
He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for providing the political will and support required to move the project forward, describing him as a leader who recognises education as essential to the nation’s future.
Alausa also commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her personal commitment to the project and her efforts to mobilise additional support towards its completion.
He recalled that the First Lady, a former teacher and strong advocate for education, used her 2025 birthday to mobilise support for the National Library, raising about N25 billion within two months towards the project.
The minister described the intervention as a demonstration of the First Lady’s commitment to education and the future of Nigerian children.
He further disclosed that the First Lady’s visit to the Qatar National Library had influenced the Nigerian Government’s vision for the Nigerian facility, following her call for Nigerian officials and project stakeholders to study the world-class library and incorporate relevant modern features.
Alausa said the objective was not simply to complete the abandoned structure but to deliver a modern national institution capable of serving Nigerians to global standards.
“We’ll have a National Library that looks like National Library of Qatar,” he stated.
He explained that the renewed vision for the facility would place greater emphasis on accessibility and inclusion, with dedicated spaces and appropriate facilities for children, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, girls and boys.
Alausa noted that attention was also being paid to modern and ergonomic furniture, with relevant officials and contractors having visited the Qatar National Library to study its facilities and furnishing standards.
The minister commended the management of the National Library of Nigeria and other stakeholders for their contributions, while charging contractors and consultants to match the government’s renewed commitment with urgency, professionalism and accountability.
He said the Ministry of Education, working with the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, would maintain close oversight of the project and ensure that stakeholders remained focused on delivering their respective responsibilities.
Alausa reaffirmed that the Nigerian Government would not compromise on quality, standards or value for money, stressing that every naira committed to the project must translate into a facility that Nigerians can use and be proud of.
He said the strong support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, had strengthened the drive to complete the project, adding that the Ministry of Education would remain focused on delivering a modern, inclusive and world-class National Library for Nigerians and generations to come.
