The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has assured that the long-delayed National Library project will see the completion of its first phase by June 2025.
During an on-the-spot inspection in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr. Alausa outlined the progress and challenges faced by the project.
He detailed that the initial phase would encompass two basement levels, the ground floor, and the first and second floors, alongside external works such as perimeter fencing.
Explaining the setbacks that have hindered the project’s completion, the minister attributed much of the delay to inconsistencies in the bill of quantities.
“There have been numerous variations in this project. Even the contractor’s quotation from a few years ago, which was about N90 billion, contains several conflicting elements,” he revealed.
While reaffirming the commitment to completing the library, Alausa acknowledged that other national projects also required funding.
“If we were to re-evaluate the cost today, it would run into hundreds of billions of naira. However, we have adopted an innovative approach to move the project forward, starting with the completion of phase one,” he explained.
He assured that sufficient funds had been allocated for the project but noted that the final cost assessment would depend on the bill of quantities being finalized by the consultant.
“We are dividing the project into phases. For the first phase, we will commence work on-site on or before June 2025,” he stated.
Alausa expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his political support, stressing that the administration was determined to see the project through.
Reflecting on the project’s protracted timeline, he pointed out that other national landmarks had long been completed while the National Library remained unfinished.
“We have three national monuments in Abuja—the National Mosque, the National Ecumenical Centre, and the National Library.
“Ironically, almost 40 years after the National Mosque and the Ecumenical Centre were completed, we are still struggling to complete the National Library.
“This library is a crucial part of our human capital development, and now, with the highest political will, we are committed to pushing this project forward,” he said.
Meanwhile, the National Librarian, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi, reiterated efforts to meet the minister’s deadline.
“A directive has been issued for the contractor to return to the site, and we are committed to ensuring that the deadline is met,” she affirmed.
She further underscored the library’s importance, describing it as the nation’s repository of knowledge, encompassing documents, reports, books, monographs, research papers, and newspapers.
The National Library was conceptualized in 1981, but construction did not commence until 2006, with an initial target completion date of 2008.
However, work stalled in 2012, leaving the project in limbo for over a decade.
