The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has warned contractors and consultants handling the National Library of Nigeria project against further delays and substandard work.
Alausa issued the warning in Abuja on Sunday at a meeting with contractors, consultants and officials of the National Library, stressing that those who fail to meet agreed timelines would face sanctions.
“This is a change day. We will make you accountable for the timelines we’re going to set for ourselves,” the minister said.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, Alausa said the Federal Government was prepared to provide funding for the project but would tie payments to performance, quality and compliance with agreed standards.
“If you’re not meeting your guidelines, the timelines, I’m sorry, you’ll be penalised,” he warned.
He said the project had been divided into two major components, physical infrastructure and furnishing to enable both aspects to progress simultaneously.
Alausa recalled that the National Library was conceived in 1981, while construction began in 2006 with an initial 24-month completion target. However, the project, located in Abuja’s Central Business District, has remained unfinished for years.
He said the renewed push to complete the facility reflected President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to education and human capital development.
The minister also commended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, saying she mobilised about N25bn within two months after using her 2025 birthday to raise funds for the project.
Alausa said the First Lady’s visit to the National Library of Qatar had also influenced the government’s vision for the Nigerian facility.
“We’ll have a National Library that looks like the National Library of Qatar,” he said.
He added that the completed facility would cater to children, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, girls and boys, with modern furniture and facilities designed to meet international standards.
Alausa charged the National Library management, contractors and consultants to work with urgency and professionalism, stressing that the government would not compromise on quality, standards or value for money.