Remi Tinubu clarifies N20bn library fundraiser

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has moved to clear the air about her 65th birthday fundraiser, firmly stating that it is not in any way linked to her husband’s 2027 political ambitions. Instead, she explained that the donations, which have already exceeded ₦20.4 billion since the initiative was launched last week, are intended solely for the completion of the National Library complex in Abuja.

Speaking at the Presidential Villa during an interactive session with State House correspondents, Mrs Tinubu expressed concern that some Nigerians had misinterpreted her intentions. She stressed that this project is an act of service and not politics. According to her, raising funds for national causes has always been part of her personal journey, long before she became First Lady. She recalled that at her 45th birthday, she raised ₦50 million to complete the National Sickle Cell Foundation Centre, and for her 50th birthday, she raised ₦200 million for the New Era Foundation. To her, fundraising has always been about contributing to society rather than making a political statement.

The First Lady’s clarification came after Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, remarked on social media that Nigeria should not have to wait for birthday donations before completing a project as critical as the National Library. While Obi extended his birthday wishes to Mrs Tinubu, he also expressed his disappointment at the country’s dependence on private contributions for national infrastructure.

Mrs Tinubu responded to such sentiments by highlighting the importance of collective responsibility. She explained that rebuilding the country should never be viewed through a political lens but rather as a duty for all citizens. She even pointed out that she had previously donated to school rebuilding projects in Liberia, showing that her charitable work has always gone beyond political boundaries or personal gain.

Quoting former American President John F. Kennedy, she urged Nigerians to ask themselves what they can do for their country rather than always waiting for the government. She also shared how her Christian faith, particularly the message in Isaiah 58:6, has consistently guided her in dedicating her resources and influence to causes that uplift society.

The fundraiser has gained significant support across political and social circles. Among the donors are President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and his wife, former President Muhammadu Buhari, former first ladies, the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives with their spouses, state governors and their wives, business leaders such as Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Arthur Eze, Tony Elumelu, Jim Ovia, and many other well-wishers. With the account open until December 2025, more donations are expected.

Mrs Tinubu emphasized that the birthday fundraiser was never about lavish celebrations. She had earlier announced that she wanted a quiet birthday, dedicated to God, while channeling goodwill towards education. She appealed to Nigerians not to spend money on flowers, gifts, or newspaper adverts for her but instead to contribute to the National Library fund. She described the project as one of the most meaningful gifts she could ever receive, given her passion for education.

The National Library project itself has been a long-running source of frustration for many Nigerians. First proposed in 1981, it was officially awarded in 2006 at a cost of ₦8.59 billion, with a completion timeline of just two years. Nearly two decades later, progress has been painfully slow. By 2023, only about 44 percent of the work had been completed, while the cost had ballooned, with estimates ranging anywhere between ₦49.6 billion and ₦120 billion to finish the 11-storey building. The site, strategically located between the National Mosque and the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja, has become a symbol of abandoned projects and poor execution of public infrastructure.

The federal government in 2025 instructed the Tertiary Education Trust Fund to step in and take over financing, with the Education Minister, Tunji Alausa, confirming that work would resume in June. Still, many Nigerians remain skeptical about whether the project will finally be completed after so many false starts. The Nigerian Library Association has repeatedly stressed the urgent need to finish the building, noting its importance for education, research, and preserving the nation’s cultural heritage.

For Mrs Tinubu, this project is a personal passion that aligns with her lifelong advocacy for education, women’s empowerment, and youth development. She reiterated that she is only serving as a driver for the fund while the Minister of Education and the Chief Librarian of the Federation are the official signatories to the account. Her role, she explained, is to draw attention to the need and mobilize resources for the greater good.

As the donations continue to flow in, her initiative has reignited conversation about how Nigerians can come together to push critical projects forward rather than waiting indefinitely for government bureaucracy to deliver. It is also a reminder that the culture of giving can play a powerful role in solving national challenges. Whether through philanthropy or collective contributions, the dream of completing the National Library might finally be closer to reality.