The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has warned contractors and consultants handling the National Library of Nigeria project that they would face sanctions for missing agreed deadlines, as the Federal Government moves to deliver a modern facility modelled partly on the National Library of Qatar.
A Renewed Push for Completion
ValidViewNetwork gathered that the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has warned contractors and consultants handling the National Library of Nigeria project that they would face sanctions for missing agreed deadlines, as the Federal Government moves to deliver a modern facility modelled partly on the National Library of Qatar.
Alausa gave the warning in Abuja on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at a stakeholders’ meeting on the long-delayed project, saying the government would provide the necessary funding but would demand accountability, quality and timely delivery in return.
“This Is a Change Day”
“This is a change day. We will make you accountable for the timelines we’re going to set for ourselves,” Alausa told the contractors and consultants.
He said the government would establish reasonable timelines and hold all parties to the commitments contained in their agreements.
“If you’re not meeting your guidelines, the timelines, I’m sorry, you’ll be penalised,” he warned.
Project Divided into Two Components
Alausa said the project had been divided into two components, physical infrastructure and furnishing, to allow both aspects to proceed concurrently.
“One thing we’ve also done is to split these two components of this procurement into two. We have the physical infrastructure and the furnishing component. Everything will work in parallel,” he said.
A Modern Vision
The minister said the government’s renewed approach was aimed not only at completing the abandoned project, but at transforming it into a modern national institution comparable with leading libraries globally.
He disclosed that the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, had visited the National Library of Qatar in Doha and directed Nigerian officials and project stakeholders to study its facilities and incorporate relevant modern features into the Nigerian project.
“By the time we’re completing the National Library, we’ll have a National Library that looks like the National Library of Qatar,” Alausa said.
A 45-Year-Old Project
The National Library project was conceived in 1981, while construction commenced in 2006 with an initial 24-month completion period.
It was expected to be completed in 2008 but remained unfinished for years.
The minister also commended the President and First Lady for their support for the project, recalling that the latter mobilised about N25 billion for the National Library during her 2025 birthday campaign.
A Lesson for Nigerian Youths
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This project is a reminder that government projects can take decades to complete when there is no accountability.
The same politicians who abandon projects will never allow their own children to study in dilapidated libraries.
For young Nigerians, the lesson is clear: demand accountability from your leaders.Hold leaders accountable. Demand timely delivery. And never forget that your tax money deserves to be spent wisely.