Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has raised over N20.5 billion through her innovative "Oluremi at 65 Education Fund," channeling birthday goodwill into the long-overdue completion of the National Library headquarters in Abuja.
The fund, which hit N20,456,188,924.93 as of Tuesday, stems from Tinubu's poignant appeal ahead of her 65th birthday on September 21, where she urged well-wishers to forgo traditional gifts—such as cards, cakes, flowers, and newspaper greetings—in favor of donations to the project.
"This will be the best birthday present I could receive," she said in a viral video message released earlier this month, emphasizing her lifelong passion for education as a cornerstone of national development.
The initiative, coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Education via a dedicated Zenith Bank account, has galvanized support from individuals, corporations, and diaspora communities, transforming a personal milestone into a collective effort for intellectual infrastructure.
The National Library project, first conceived in the 1970s but mired in bureaucratic delays and funding shortfalls for decades, represents a symbol of Nigeria's unrealized ambitions in knowledge preservation and literacy.
Located in the heart of Abuja, the facility—envisioned as a state-of-the-art hub for research, digital archiving, and public reading—has languished at about 70% completion, with unfinished sections exposed to the elements.
Tinubu, a former senator renowned for advocating women's empowerment and youth programs, framed the fund as a legacy project: "Education remains one of the most enduring legacies any nation can build for its people.
The National Library, once completed, will serve as a lasting symbol of Nigeria’s commitment to learning and research."Donations poured in swiftly following the appeal, with major contributions from private sector giants and anonymous benefactors.
Sources close to the fund revealed that initial pledges exceeded N5 billion within the first week, fueled by social media campaigns.
Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa announced that the money would cover critical finishing touches, including modern shelving, digital libraries, and accessibility features for the visually impaired, with construction set to resume by October.
"This isn't just about bricks and mortar; it's about igniting a reading culture across Nigeria," Alausa told reporters, projecting the library's opening by mid-2026.
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