FG sets 24-month deadline to complete national library headquarters in Abuja

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The Federal Government has set a fresh 24-month deadline for the completion of the ongoing reconstruction of the National Library headquarters complex in Abuja.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the new target on Thursday during a familiarisation visit to the project site.

The federal government began the project in 2006, with an initial completion period of two years. However, the reconstruction has remained unfinished for nearly two decades.

The contract was awarded to Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) at the cost of ₦8.59 billion.

The latest deadline is expected to provide a new timeline for completing the long-delayed national library headquarters project.

However, the project subsequently suffered delays for nearly two decades due to funding challenges, contract variations and disagreements over the cost of completion.

In August, the federal government approved an additional N118.309 billion for the completion of construction works on the project and a separate N37 billion for its furnishing.

The approvals bring the total funding requirement for the completion and furnishing of the long-abandoned project to about N155 billion.

During the site visit, Alausa said the government would ensure the project is completed within the stipulated period.

The minister said mechanisms had been put in place to prevent delays arising from funding and administrative bottlenecks.

“Our own commitment at the Federal Ministry of Education is that work will not stop for one day until we get to the point where we commission this building,” he said.

“We have put processes in place on how the contractor will request additional payment. I am going to speak publicly to all contractors and consultants today. If there are delays in processing, I need to know. I want to be bothered because this is a commitment to the Nigerian people.”

Alausa said the renewed efforts followed a directive by President Bola Tinubu for the mobilisation of funds and the return of contractors to the site.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu knows exactly what this country needs. He knows that education is the bedrock of any egalitarian society,” he said.

“If any society must develop, it must educate its citizens. That is why this President has placed so much emphasis on education and given us all the support we need.”

The minister also commended Oluremi Tinubu, the president’s wife, for her personal commitment to the completion of the national library project, noting that her sustained advocacy helped to secure additional funding for the project.

The national library headquarters project was conceived in 1981, while construction commenced on April 29, 2006, under the administration of then President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Established in 1964, the National Library of Nigeria is the country’s apex library institution, with statutory responsibilities that include collecting, preserving and providing access to Nigeria’s published intellectual heritage.