By Jane Salihu
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has assured contractors handling the National Library of Nigeria project in Abuja of prompt payment for work executed, warning that administrative bottlenecks and delays must not frustrate the timely completion of the long-abandoned national edifice.
Alausa gave the assurance during an inspection visit to the project site on Thursday, ahead of the formal flag-off of the return to site by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, scheduled for November 19, 2026.
The Minister said the Federal Government had put payment mechanisms in place to ensure uninterrupted construction, adding that he would personally monitor the process and wanted to be informed immediately of any delays.
He stressed that the project, which had remained abandoned for nearly 12 years, must not experience another interruption, describing its completion as a responsibility to Nigerians.
“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.
He disclosed that contractors had fully mobilised to site and commenced construction activities, expressing confidence that the project would be delivered within the agreed timeframe.
Alausa also credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention for the renewed momentum, noting that the President had directed the mobilisation of funds and the return of contractors to site.
According to him, the administration recognises education as a critical driver of national development, making the completion of the National Library a priority.
He equally acknowledged the contributions of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, whose advocacy and personal interest in the project, he said, had helped secure additional funding and advance the vision of a modern national library.
The Minister explained that the First Lady’s vision goes beyond establishing a repository of books and historical documents to creating an inclusive cultural and educational centre accessible to all Nigerians.
He said the proposed facility would feature specialised spaces for children and persons with visual and hearing impairments, among other facilities designed to accommodate different categories of users.
The National Library project, which commenced in 2006 with an initial two-year completion target, was substantially completed in 2008 before construction activities were abandoned in 2014.
Alausa described the prolonged abandonment as unfortunate, considering the institution’s importance to Nigeria’s educational, cultural and archival development.
He, however, commended Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) for maintaining the project site, securing the existing infrastructure and preventing encroachment during the years of inactivity.
The Minister also acknowledged the contributions of the Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr Olatunji David; the Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria; the Ministry’s management team; consultants and other stakeholders towards facilitating the project’s resumption.
He said the Federal Government was also drawing from international best practices, including the Qatar National Library, to ensure that the completed facility meets modern standards in functionality and service delivery.
According to him, the National Library is expected to become a major cultural and educational destination, hosting international conferences, attracting tourists and providing Nigerians and visitors with access to the country’s historical records and cultural heritage.
He urged the management of the institution to develop programmes that would make the facility an active centre of learning and public engagement rather than merely a building housing books and archives.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Reynolds Construction Company, Engr. Nader Yusuf, assured the Minister that the company was committed to delivering the project within 18 months.
Yusuf said RCC had maintained adequate security at the site, preserved the existing infrastructure and prevented encroachment throughout the period the project remained inactive.
He pledged that the company would comply with the Minister’s directives and work towards delivering the project in line with the Federal Government’s expectations.
Alausa reiterated that the Ministry would maintain close supervision of the construction and ensure that financial and administrative processes were handled efficiently to prevent delays.
