FG Approves N155bn to Complete National Library Headquarters in Abuja

FG Approves N155bn to Complete National Library Headquarters in Abuja
Tinubu Government Approves N155bn for National Library Project
National Library: FG Approves N155bn for Construction, Furnishing

The Federal Government has approved N118.309 billion for the completion of construction work on the National Library of Nigeria Headquarters Building Complex in Abuja.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday in Abuja.

Alausa said the government also approved about N37 billion for furnishing the facility, bringing the total allocation for completing and furnishing the long delayed project to approximately N155 billion.

He said the approval followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive that legally cleared and unobstructed public funds should be deployed to priority national development projects, particularly in education.

The minister said Tinubu had directed the Attorney General of the Federation to work with the Minister of Finance and the Ministry of Education to examine the legal framework for using funds from the Unclaimed Capital Market and Unclaimed Dividend Trust Fund as well as the Dormant Account Trust Fund.

Alausa stressed that funds subject to legal disputes would not be transferred, adding that only legally cleared funds belonging to Nigerians would be considered.

He said the decision was driven by the need to invest in education and provide better opportunities for Nigerian children.

The National Library project began in April 2006 and was initially scheduled for completion within two years. However, construction stopped in October 2008 and the project remained inactive for several years.

Alausa said Tinubu, upon assuming office in 2023, directed the Ministry of Education to explore funding options for completing the project.

He also credited First Lady Oluremi Tinubu with raising about N25 billion for the project through donations received during her birthday celebration.

The minister said the FEC approval, alongside funding from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and other sources, would support the resumption of construction.

Alausa expressed hope that work would restart in the coming months.

FG Approves N155bn to Complete National Library Headquarters in Abuja

On complaints about tertiary institutions delaying payments to students, he said new frameworks require institutions to return funds to students within one week of receiving confirmation of government payments.

He said the government was investigating individual cases and had introduced measures to prevent similar incidents.