The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has warned contractors and consultants handling the National Library of Nigeria project that failure to meet agreed delivery timelines and quality standards will attract sanctions.
Alausa issued the warning in Abuja during a meeting with stakeholders in the project, including contractors, consultants and officials of the National Library of Nigeria.
According to Ikharo Attah, Special Adviser (Media and Communications) in a Statement on Sunday, 6th September, 2026, the Minister said the Federal Government was prepared to provide the necessary funding to accelerate the completion of the long-delayed project but would demand accountability, quality and value for money in return.
“This is a change day. We will make you accountable for the timelines we’re going to set for ourselves,” the minister told the stakeholders.
Alausa said the government would establish reasonable delivery timelines and hold contractors and consultants accountable for commitments contained in the agreements being developed for the project.
“If you’re not meeting your guidelines, the timelines, I’m sorry, you’ll be penalised,” he warned.
To speed up the project, the minister disclosed that the National Library development had been divided into two major components—physical infrastructure and furnishing—to enable both aspects to be pursued simultaneously.
He assured the contractors that funds would be made available to support the project, stressing, however, that government financing would be matched with strict expectations on delivery and adherence to agreed standards.
The renewed drive to complete the National Library comes against the backdrop of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s prioritisation of education and human capital development.
Alausa described the National Library as more than a physical structure, saying it was a critical national institution for learning, research, knowledge development and human capital formation.
He recalled that the project was conceived in 1981, while construction commenced in 2006 with an initial completion period of 24 months. Despite an original target of 2008, the project has remained unfinished for years.
According to him, the facility occupies a prominent location in Abuja’s Central Business District alongside other major national edifices.
The minister said the renewed attention to the project represented a shift in the Federal Government’s approach to education infrastructure under the Tinubu administration.
He commended President Tinubu for providing the political will and support required to move the project forward, saying the President recognised education as critical to Nigeria’s future.
Alausa also praised the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her commitment to the National Library project and her efforts to mobilise additional funding for its completion.
He recalled that the First Lady, a former teacher and advocate for education, used her 2025 birthday to mobilise support for the project, raising about N25 billion within two months.
The minister said the intervention demonstrated her commitment to education and the future of Nigerian children.
He further disclosed that the First Lady’s visit to the Qatar National Library had influenced the government’s vision for the Nigerian facility, following her recommendation that Nigerian officials and project stakeholders study the world-class institution and incorporate relevant modern features into the National Library.
“We’ll have a National Library that looks like National Library of Qatar,” Alausa said.
He explained that the renewed vision would place greater emphasis on accessibility and inclusion, with dedicated spaces and appropriate facilities for children, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, girls and boys.
The minister added that attention was also being given to modern and ergonomic furniture, noting that relevant officials and contractors had visited the Qatar National Library to study its facilities and furnishing standards.
Alausa commended the management of the National Library of Nigeria and other stakeholders for their contributions, while charging contractors and consultants to match the government’s renewed commitment with urgency, professionalism and accountability.
He said the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, would maintain close oversight of the project.
The minister reiterated that the government would not compromise on quality, standards or value for money, stressing that every naira invested in the project must translate into a facility Nigerians could use and be proud of.
He expressed confidence that with the support of President Tinubu and the First Lady, the government would deliver a modern, inclusive and world-class National Library for present and future generations.
