The Federal Government has directed contractors and consultants handling the National Library of Nigeria project to strictly adhere to agreed timelines and ensure the timely completion of the edifice.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, gave the directive in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja. He said the project remains a key component of government’s efforts to promote reading culture and knowledge development in the country.
Alausa stressed the importance of quality work, accountability and adherence to delivery schedules. He warned that any contractor or consultant that fails to meet the agreed standards would face sanctions in line with the terms of their contract.
According to him, the government will not tolerate further delays on a project that has lingered for several years. He noted that the National Library is critical to supporting research, learning and human capital development across Nigeria.
The Minister added that the Federal Government is prepared to provide the necessary funds to complete the project. However, he said the release of funds will be tied to performance and compliance with specifications.
“We are ready to make the resources available, but we expect contractors and consultants to deliver in line with the agreed specifications and standards,” Alausa stated. He urged them to deploy adequate manpower and equipment to accelerate work on site.
The renewed push for the completion of the National Library comes against the backdrop of President Bola Tinubu’s prioritisation of education and human capital development as key drivers of national transformation.
President Tinubu has repeatedly emphasized that investment in education, skills and knowledge infrastructure is central to his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The completion of the library is expected to align with that vision.
Officials of the Ministry of Education said they will intensify monitoring of the project to ensure milestones are met. They added that regular progress reports will be submitted to the Minister’s office for review.
Stakeholders in the education sector have welcomed the directive, saying a functional National Library will provide Nigerians, especially students and researchers, with access to modern learning resources and digital facilities.
The National Library complex, located in Abuja, was conceived as a 21st-century facility with digital archives, e-learning centers, and a repository for over 50 million books. Once completed, it is expected to serve as the apex library and coordinate library services nationwide, while also preserving Nigeria’s cultural and intellectual heritage.
Education experts noted that delivering the project will also boost Nigeria’s ranking in global research and innovation indexes. They called on the Ministry to ensure transparency in the procurement process and to partner with universities and tech firms to equip the library with modern digital infrastructure that can compete with libraries in other parts of the world.
