First Lady raises over N20b for National Library project

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has successfully raised more than ₦20 billion towards the completion of the long-delayed National Library project in Abuja.

Earlier in September, the First Lady, who turned 65 on September 21, 2025, made a heartfelt appeal to friends, associates, and well-wishers, urging them to convert birthday gifts and greetings into donations for the library project.

In a video message, she explained that instead of hosting a lavish celebration, she had chosen to dedicate her milestone birthday to God and to a cause she described as “very close to my heart.”

The fund, according to her, is coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Education under the “Oluremi at 65 Education Fund”.

According to the First Lady, the completion of the National Library will be a great birthday gift for her.

Addressing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, the First Lady said she was a member of the Senate Committee on Education while she was in the senate, adding that the education ministry was not able to build the National Library.

She said as a young person growing up, library played a great role in shaping her person and she was not happy that the National Library which was initiated during the Shehu Shagari administration was still uncompleted up till today.

Speaking on the background of the criticism trailing her efforts, the First Lady said Nigerians should emulate the words of the former American President who said citizens should not think of what the country can do for them, but what they can do for your country.

She said so far, Nigerians have donated over N20 billion Naira and the more is still coming in.