Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has announced that contributions exceeding ₦20 billion have been collected for the National Library project.
She said this was achieved through the Oluremi Tinubu at 65 Fund, a special initiative launched to commemorate her 65th birthday to channel public goodwill into a lasting legacy for Nigeria.
The first lady disclosed this during an interactive session with State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Mrs. Tinubu had encouraged Nigerians to forgo sending personal gifts or publishing celebratory messages in newspapers, on television, or on the radio.
Instead, she called for donations to support the construction of a state-of-the-art National Library, which, according to her, is envisioned as a beacon of knowledge and cultural preservation for future generations.
She said responses from individuals, organisations, and communities across the nation have been overwhelming, with the fund amassing over ₦20 billion in a short period.
Speaking on her intentions, the First Lady emphasised that her efforts are driven by a deep sense of duty and patriotism, not political ambition.
“This is not about politics; it is about what I can do for my country,” she stated, underscoring her commitment to advancing education and intellectual development in Nigeria.
She said that the birthday account, Oluremi@65 Education Fund, would remain open till December 2025 to receive more donations from willing Nigerians towards the completion of the project.
“What is wrong with doing well or trying to build our country? If I could assist the post-war building process in Liberia by donating the Oluremi Tinubu Elementary and Junior Secondary School in Monte Serrado County in Liberia, what is wrong in drawing attention to some of the areas of need in our beloved Nation?
“This is not the first time I have raised funds for causes close to my heart. For my 45th birthday, I raised ₦50 million to complete the National Sickle Cell Foundation Center, which has since become fully operational,” she stated.
“For my 50th birthday, I raised ₦200 million for the New Era Foundation and other charities. I have played my part in this project, and believe Nigerians can raise the funds needed to complete the library. This is not just a project but a national treasure that will serve generations to come,” Mrs Tinubu added.
She acknowledged various contributors, including President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and his wife, among others.
“The National Assembly Library project, initiated in 1981 and approved with funding in subsequent years, had faced decades of funding delays, with the budget escalating from ₦8.2 billion in 1981 to ₦23 billion as of 2023.
“However, President Bola Tinubu’s administration is ready to ‘take the bull by the horns,’ as the First Lady put it, to ensure that construction is completed within two years, a statement by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi, added.
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