Oluremi Tinubu National Library fundraiser raises ₦20.7bn at 65th birthday; account open till Dec 2025 for more donations to complete project.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has turned her 65th birthday into a rallying point for education and national progress.
Through a bold initiative—the Oluremi Tinubu National Library fundraiser—she announced the mobilisation of ₦20.7 billion toward completing Nigeria’s long-abandoned National Library project.
Speaking at a luncheon with journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, she revealed that the Oluremi@65 Education Fund will remain active until December 2025, allowing more Nigerians and institutions to contribute to the cause.
At the centre of this initiative is the National Library, conceived in 1981 as the country’s premier centre for research, knowledge preservation, and cultural enrichment.
Despite its significance, the project has been trapped in decades of delays and funding shortfalls, with costs rising from ₦8.2 billion at inception to ₦23 billion by 2023.
Senator Tinubu explained that her passion for education and the role libraries played in her upbringing motivated her to act.
“As a teacher, I know the value of a library. It shaped me in my formative years and played a role in who I am today,” she said.
Dismissing speculations that the initiative had political undertones, the First Lady insisted her intentions were genuine and rooted in service.
“What is wrong in trying to build our country? If I could assist Liberia’s post-war rebuilding by donating the Oluremi Tinubu Elementary and Junior Secondary School in Montserrado County, Liberia, then surely it is right to draw attention to the needs of our beloved Nigeria,” she argued.
She reminded the public that her philanthropic work predates her current role. For her 45th birthday, she raised ₦50 million to complete the National Sickle Cell Foundation Centre, now fully operational. At 50, she mobilised ₦200 million to support the New Era Foundation and other charities.
These efforts, she stressed, show that she has consistently used personal milestones to drive social good.
As of September 23, 2025, contributions to the Oluremi Tinubu National Library account stood at ₦20.7 billion and continued to grow. Importantly, Senator Tinubu clarified that she is not a signatory to the account.
The responsibility rests with the Minister of Education and the Chief Librarian of the Federation, ensuring transparency in fund management.
Her role, she said, is to inspire, mobilise, and amplify the call for collective responsibility.
The First Lady underscored her philosophy of service by quoting Lebanese poet and philosopher Khalil Gibran’s The New Frontier:
“Are you a politician asking what your country can do for you, or a zealous one asking what you can do for your country? If you are the first, you are a parasite; if the second, you are an oasis in the desert.”
She urged Nigerians to embrace incremental progress.
“If we take baby steps of well-doing, before long, things will begin to shape up for our country. A grain of sand and a drop of water makes a mighty ocean,” she said.
The fundraiser enjoyed wide participation from political leaders, business moguls, and civil society. Among the notable contributors were:
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Vice President Kashim Shettima and his wife
Former President Muhammadu Buhari
Several former First Ladies
The Senate President and his wife
The Speaker of the House of Representatives and his wife
Members of the National Assembly
The Governors’ Forum and their spouses
Security chiefs and their families
Prominent business leaders such as Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Arthur Eze, Tony Elumelu, and Jim Ovia
Senator Tinubu described their generosity as proof that Nigerians can unite behind a shared vision for education and knowledge.
The National Library, when completed, will be more than just a physical structure. It is envisioned as a knowledge hub, a cultural archive, and a foundation for innovation and learning.
Senator Tinubu emphasised that this project represents a legacy for future generations.
“This is not just another building,” she said.
“It is a heritage institution that will outlive us all and continue to serve Nigerians for centuries to come.”
With ₦20.7 billion already pledged, the chances of completing the project within two years are stronger than ever.
The Tinubu administration, she assured, is determined to “take the bull by the horns” and finally deliver the library after four decades of stagnation.
By keeping the Oluremi@65 Education Fund open until December 2025, the initiative allows Nigerians at home and abroad to contribute.
“Every effort counts,” Senator Tinubu said. “Together, we can make this dream a reality.”
The Oluremi Tinubu National Library initiative demonstrates that progress happens when vision meets collective will.
At 65, Nigeria’s First Lady has turned her birthday into more than a personal celebration—it has become a national moment of giving, hope, and responsibility.
Now, the task is for Nigerians everywhere to play their part. Contributions, whether large or small, will move the country closer to completing a landmark project that symbolises Nigeria’s commitment to knowledge, education, and cultural pride.
“Nigerians everywhere are invited to contribute to the Oluremi@65 Education Fund, ensuring that the Oluremi Tinubu National Library becomes a lasting legacy for generations.”
