Remi Tinubu raises N20bn for completion of National Library project

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has announced that over ₦20 billion has been raised to support the completion of the long-delayed National Library project in Abuja.

Speaking with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Mrs. Tinubu explained that the fundraising drive was tied to her 65th birthday celebration on September 21, 2025.

Ahead of the milestone, she had appealed to well-wishers to channel birthday greetings and gifts into donations through the “Oluremi at 65 Education Fund,” an initiative coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Education.

Mrs. Tinubu noted that instead of hosting a lavish party, she chose to dedicate her birthday to God and a cause she described as close to her heart.

“The completion of the National Library will be a great birthday gift for me,” she said.

The First Lady recalled her time in the Senate, where she served on the Committee on Education, lamenting that successive governments had failed to complete the project, which dates back to the Shehu Shagari administration.

She stressed the importance of libraries, saying they shaped her formative years and remain critical in nurturing the next generation of Nigerians.

Responding to criticisms of the initiative, Mrs. Tinubu urged Nigerians to embrace the spirit of service, citing the famous words of a former U.S. President: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

According to her, donations have already surpassed ₦20 billion, with more contributions expected.