The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has directed contractors and consultants handling the National Library of Nigeria project to meet agreed delivery timelines or face sanctions.
This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by Mr Ikharo Attah, Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications.
Alausa gave the directive at a meeting with contractors, consultants and officials of the National Library of Nigeria, where he stressed the need for quality work, accountability and timely completion of the project.
“This is a change day. We will make you accountable for the timelines we’re going to set for ourselves,” he said.
Alausa said the Federal Government was ready to provide the funds needed to complete the project but would expect contractors and consultants to deliver according to agreed standards.
“If you’re not meeting your guidelines, the timelines, I’m sorry, you’ll be penalised,” he warned.
The minister said the government would establish reasonable timelines and ensure that contractors and consultants were held to the commitments contained in their agreements.
He also disclosed that the project had been divided into two major components such as physical infrastructure and furnishing to enable both aspects to progress at the same time.
Alausa said the National Library was not merely a building but an important national institution for learning, research, knowledge development and human capital development.
He recalled that the project was conceived in 1981, while construction began in 2006 with an initial completion period of 24 months.
According to him, the project was originally expected to be completed in 2008 but had remained unfinished for years.
According to him, the National Library occupies a prominent location in Abuja’s Central Business District, alongside other major national buildings, including the National Mosque and the National Ecumenical Centre.
Alausa attributed the renewed attention of the project to President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to education and human capital development.
He expressed appreciation to the President for providing the political support and commitment needed to move the project forward.
The minister also commended the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, for her support and efforts toward the completion of the National Library.
He recalled that the First Lady used her 2025 birthday to mobilise support for the project, raising about N25 billion within two months.
Alausa said the First Lady’s visit to the National Library of Qatar had also influenced the government’s vision for the facility.
He said Nigerian officials and project stakeholders had been encouraged to study the Qatar facility and adopt relevant modern features in the National Library project.
“We’ll have a National Library that looks like National Library of Qatar,” Alausa said.
According to the minister, the renewed vision for the facility will include improved accessibility and dedicated spaces for children, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, girls and boys.
Alausa commended the management of the National Library of Nigeria and other stakeholders for their contributions to the project.
He, however, urged contractors and consultants to match the government’s renewed commitment with urgency, professionalism and accountability.
The minister said he would continue to monitor the project closely alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad.
He reaffirmed that the federal government would not compromise on quality, standards and value for money, stressing that every naira committed to the project must produce a facility Nigerians would be proud to use.