The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has so far received ₦20,456,188,924.93 for the national library project.
Recall that the president’s wife had during the celebration of her 65th birthday on September 21, 2025 asked her supporters and well wishers who would want to send congratulatory messages, gifts or place adverts in the newspapers to monetise such and send to a dedicated account domiciled in Zenith Bank.
“I wish to appeal to those who would like to send a birthday card, cakes, flowers, greetings in the newspapers, or gifts should please send the funds to the designated account for a special project close to my heart…the completion of the National Library.
“This will be the best birthday present I have ever received. My love for education has informed my decision to dedicate my birthday to this worthy cause,” Tinubu said.
Giving an update on while briefing journalists at the banquet hall of the presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday, she disclosed that over ₦20 billion had so far been raised for the library project through the Oluremi @65 Education Fund.
She said the library project was her chosen legacy gift to the nation, stressing that instead of receiving cakes, gifts, and adverts for her birthday, she appealed to Nigerians to channel their goodwill into funding the completion of the library.
Tinubu dismissed the insinuation that the gesture has political undertones, stressing that her only motivation was service to the country.
“I want to clear the air about some people saying it has a political undertone. What is wrong in doing well? From a humble background, the library played a role in my life. That’s why I thought this is a worthy cause,” she said.
Besides, she recalled how she previously raised N50 million on 44th birthday and N200 million on her 50th birthday, to support various projects impacting on the poor, including sickle cell disease.
She also drew attention to the previous efforts she made to help schools in Liberia as part of her philanthropic activities.
Tinubu emphasised that education remains central to national development and pledged to sustain her commitment to projects that would benefit future generations.
Located between the National Mosque and the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja, the national library project was first conceived in 1981. It has been under construction since 2006, when it was awarded for N8.59 billion and expected to be completed in less than two years.
Over the years, the cost skyrocketed and by 2023, the physical completion rate stood at about 44 per cent, with estimates ranging from N49.6 billion to more than N120 billion required to complete it finish the 12-storey complex.
