The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government will ensure the completion of the long-abandoned National Library of Nigeria headquarters project in Abuja, warning contractors against delays and promising prompt payment to sustain construction work.
Alausa gave the assurance during a familiarisation visit to the project site on Thursday ahead of the formal kick-off of the return to site by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, scheduled for November 19, 2026.
The minister said the “Federal Government was committed to ensuring that the project was completed within the agreed timeframe,” adding that mechanisms had been put in place to prevent delays arising from funding and administrative bottlenecks.
He disclosed that contractors had fully mobilised to the site and commenced construction activities, expressing confidence that the project would be completed within the stipulated 24-month timeline.
“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.
Alausa warned contractors and consultants against allowing payment processing and administrative challenges to disrupt construction, urging them to report any difficulties directly to him.
“We have put processes in place on how the contractor will request additional payment. I am going to speak publicly to all contractors and consultants today. If there are delays in processing, I need to know. I want to be bothered because this is a commitment to the Nigerian people,” he stated.
He attributed the renewed efforts to complete the project to the commitment of President Bola Tinubu, saying the President had directed the mobilisation of funds and the return of contractors to the site.
The minister said the President recognised education as a critical driver of national development and had provided the necessary support to the Ministry of Education to advance the sector.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu knows exactly what this country needs. He knows that education is the bedrock of any egalitarian society. If any society must develop, it must educate its citizens. That is why this President has placed so much emphasis on education and given us all the support we need,” he said.
He also commended the First Lady for her sustained advocacy and personal commitment to the completion of the National Library, noting that her intervention had helped secure additional funding for the project.
According to him, the First Lady’s vision goes beyond establishing a national repository of knowledge to creating an inclusive cultural and educational centre accessible to all Nigerians.
Alausa said the facility would incorporate specialised spaces for children and persons with disabilities, including people with visual and hearing impairments.
He added that the completed library would serve as a national cultural and educational centre, hosting international conferences, attracting tourists and providing access to Nigeria’s historical archives and cultural heritage.
The minister recalled that the project, which commenced in 2006 with an initial completion period of two years, was substantially completed in 2008 before construction activities were halted, leaving the facility unfinished for nearly two decades.
He expressed concern that the prolonged abandonment of the project reflected misplaced priorities, considering the importance of the National Library to Nigeria’s educational, cultural and archival development.
Alausa, however, commended Reynolds Construction Company for maintaining the site, providing security and preventing encroachment throughout the period of inactivity.
He said the company’s efforts to preserve the existing infrastructure had made it possible to resume construction without significant setbacks.
Earlier, the Managing Director of RCC, Nader Yusuf, thanked the minister for visiting the site and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering the project.
Yusuf said the company would comply with the minister’s directives and complete the construction within 18 months.
He added that RCC had maintained adequate security at the facility and prevented encroachment throughout the period of inactivity.
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