Oluremi Tinubu’s 65th birthday wish: From Senate halls to N20 billion National Library fundraiser
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Acting on a passion first ignited during her 12 years as a senator and member of the Senate Committee on Education, Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, made a heartfelt appeal to Nigerians on September 21– her 65th birthday. Instead of the usual fanfare, she requested that well-wishers donate funds to complete the long-delayed National Library project, a cause she called “a national treasure that will serve generations to come.”
This genuine commitment to education and national development, however, has stirred controversy and political debates, underscoring deep divides about the role of symbolism and pragmatism in governance.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1718806029429-0’); });
In a candid statement days before her birthday, the First Lady asked Nigerians to join her in “completing the National Library” rather than sending cards, flowers, or gifts. Establishing the “Oluremi@65 Education Fund” through the Federal Ministry of Education, she opened the doors for public contributions.
“As I mark this special day by the grace of God, I am dedicating my birthday to a project close to my heart,” she declared. “My love for education inspires this decision, and the completion of the National Library will be the greatest birthday gift I could receive.”
Addressing potential contributors, she urged: “Please, instead of gifts, let’s invest in our future through this library. It is a legacy worth leaving.”
Her appeal resonated widely, emphasizing collective responsibility for national growth through education.
Reflecting on her time in the Senate, the First Lady shared candidly: “But a bit of history about why the National Library… I sat in the Senate Committee of Education for 12 good years. Every time for budget defence, the minister would come, and I kept looking at the list of items everyone put up that, if there is money, they will be able to do the projects. But then I later noticed what they call the end envelope system—they just give an envelope.”
She revealed the disheartening reality many Nigerians only see in headlines—that for over a decade, despite promises and budget defences, the National Library never made the critical cut in funding allocations. “For 12 years, the library wasn’t on the table,” she said, emphasising how frustrating it was to watch such a vital project neglected. But this experience further ignited her resolve.
Inspired by her humble beginnings and the power of knowledge, the First Lady shared her personal connection to libraries:
“I just felt led—even as a little girl, the library played a big role in my life. I listened to Maya Angelou in an interview speaking about her life… She said she didn’t go to any college; she self-schooled herself. She suffered trauma early in life as a result of rape but was taken to the library by someone in her household, where she learned to read and eventually graduated to teaching masters and doctoral students at Ivy League universities like Yale.”
For Senator Tinubu, Angelou’s story embodied the transformative power of books and learning. “That is the power of books. It shaped me as a teacher too. I keep learning, and I tell my staff, ‘Nobody can tell my story except I tell it.’”
The National Library project originated during President Shehu Shagari’s administration and was formally muted in 1981. It went through several approvals, including by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2006, when building commenced with an initial budget of N8.2 billion. The costs have since escalated—to about N17 billion in 2010 and an estimated N23 billion as of 2023, with projections for 2025 expected to be even higher.
Her optimistism about the road ahead with the current administration: “President Bola Tinubu is ready to take the bull by the horns and start to build—that is what I heard. But you have 11 floors. How do you want to do that? Maybe the next two years, but my projection is we can build it in the next two years, and Nigerians, we can raise the money.”
She affirmed her personal commitment: “For me, I’ve played my part. The Oluremi@65 fund will be shut down by December—you can still put whatever you can.”
A proud donor herself, she recalled her previous contributions: “I donated N1 million for the Ecumenical Centre during Obasanjo’s time. Every time I get into the centre, I enter with pride, knowing I donated something.”
Acknowledging the size of the challenge, she pointed out: “Their budget is over N100 billion. I don’t want to speak for them; the honorable minister, when he’s back from the UN General Assembly, will be able to tell you. But to the glory of God, in this short while, the money is still growing for today—we have raised over N20 billion.”
Senator Tinubu has been clear from the outset that this initiative transcends politics. She dismissed speculations that the fundraiser is tied to any political bid, particularly her husband’s potential 2027 reelection campaign, calling it “a love project.” She defended the spirit and vision behind the fundraiser:
“What is wrong in doing well or trying to build our country? If I could assist post-war rebuilding in Liberia by donating the Oluremi Tinubu Elementary and Junior Secondary School, what is wrong with drawing attention to some of the areas in need in our beloved nation?”
Echoing her lifelong call to service, she invoked the inspiring words of President John F. Kennedy: “Don’t ask what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. Nigeria has come to that space. It doesn’t take much to do good. Most of the work I have done is not something new… I just made it look big, and at the end of it, it was big.”
This fundraiser is part of a longstanding tradition of philanthropy for the First Lady. She recounted previous milestones: “For my 45th birthday, I raised N50 million for the National Sickle Cell Foundation Centre, which was completed and became fully operational. For my 50th birthday, I raised N200 million for the New Era Foundation and other charities.”
Her appeal for the National Library is thus a continuation of dedication to causes close to her heart, driven by faith and a personal conviction: “In this life, I’ve always been directed by God Almighty, because, at the end of my time on earth, I have only Him to answer to.”
Looking ahead, Senator Tinubu believes the collective efforts of Nigerians will make a difference: “A grain of sand and a drop of water make a mighty ocean.”
Despite the overwhelming goodwill and significant funds raised, the First Lady’s initiative has not been without dissent. Critics argue that relying on donations to complete a vital national project is a subtle admission of governance failures. Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, while wishing her well, described the appeal as “an indictment of our nation,” saying it highlights misplaced government priorities when extravagant spending overshadows critical educational infrastructure.
Furthermore, Ayodele Ademiluyi, convener of the Ife Book and Arts Festival, filed a lawsuit challenging the legality and ethics of the fundraising, accusing the government of abdicating its constitutional responsibilities. The suit names the First Lady alongside the President and other government officials, spotlighting the fraught public debate on governance accountability.
Mrs. Tinubu has, however, been steadfast, clarifying emphatically that this is not a political stunt or a campaign ploy, but a genuine call for collective action. “I have played my part in this project,” she told the press, “and I believe Nigerians can raise the money needed to complete the library.”
Her vision for Nigeria is clear: A nation where education is a beacon of hope, libraries are sanctuaries of knowledge, and citizens are active participants in rebuilding the country’s future. Oluremi Tinubu’s 65th birthday wish began in the halls of the Senate but has now become a clarion call for Nigeria to rise and answer. Whether viewed as philanthropic inspiration or political controversy, this initiative will undoubtedly shape the legacy of the First Lady and the educational landscape of Nigeria for years to come.
The over N20 billion raised so far signals a willingness among Nigerians—across sectors and regions—to invest in their future through knowledge and culture. While controversy swirls about government responsibilities and political undertones, the First Lady’s story rooted in Senate oversight, personal experience, and heartfelt conviction is a powerful narrative of hope, resilience, and the enduring belief that together, Nigerians can build lasting legacies.
The post Making of national library appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
