The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has urged the Federal Government to take full responsibility for completing the long-abandoned National Library of Nigeria project in Abuja, warning that the institution cannot be left to private charity.
The reaction follows comments by First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, who recently announced plans to support the library’s completion as part of her birthday celebrations.
While commending the First Lady’s gesture, the ADC insisted that the National Library is a national monument established by law, and must not be reduced to what it described as a “personal pet project.”
In a statement on Wednesday, the party stressed that the library, founded under an Act of Parliament in 1964, serves as the custodian of Nigeria’s collective memory, culture, and intellectual heritage. It noted that its completion and upkeep must be secured through transparent and sustainable government funding.
“The National Library is not just another building. It is a living repository of our story, culture, research, and knowledge production. Its sustainability requires predictable national funding, not acts of benevolence,” the statement read.
The ADC urged Mrs Tinubu to use her influence to ensure President Bola Tinubu prioritises the project through budgetary allocations rather than private intervention.
It recalled that at some point, responsibility for funding the project was shifted to TETFUND, which, according to the party, explained the absence of direct allocations for the library in the 2024 and 2025 budgets.
The party concluded that while it welcomed the First Lady’s concern, the Federal Government must show clear commitment to completing the project, given its importance to future generations.
