FG to transform National Library into world-class facility

The Federal Government in Nigeria is planning to revamp the National Library of Nigeria into a modern, world-class library inspired by the National Library of Qatar. Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, announced this during a meeting with contractors, consultants, and officials of the National Library of Nigeria in Abuja. Alausa directed stakeholders to meet delivery timelines and uphold high quality standards, emphasizing that the transformed library would become a model facility for learning, research, knowledge development, and human capital growth.

The project, initially conceived in 1981 and started in 2006 with an initial 24-month completion target, has been stalled for years. Now, the work is being divided into physical infrastructure and furnishing components to progress simultaneously. Alausa attributed the renewed ambition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's commitment to education and the First Lady Oluremi Tinubu's visit to the National Library of Qatar, where she observed facilities and modern features worth adopting.

The new library will prioritize accessibility and inclusion, featuring dedicated spaces and appropriate facilities for children, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, girls, and boys. Attention will also be given to modern and ergonomic furniture, with officials and contractors having already visited the Qatar library to study its standards.

Alausa cautioned stakeholders that the renewed ambition will mean little without timely execution, warning that contractors and consultants would be held accountable for meeting set timelines, with penalties imposed if guidelines are not followed. The government is prepared to fund the project but will demand accountability, quality, and value for money.