N20 Billion Library Fundraiser: Not for 2027 — Remi Tinubu

By Sep 24, 20250

A lively debate has emerged following the announcement by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (also known as Remi Tinubu), that her 65th birthday fundraiser has mobilized over ₦20 billion toward completing the long‑abandoned National Library project in Abuja. But one phrase has stood out: according to her, the fundraiser is “not tied to 2027” — a reference to speculations about political motives and possible reelection ambitions. Let’s unpack what is going on.

What Is the Fundraiser About

The project is the National Library of Nigeria in Abuja (the new headquarters / National Assembly Library project), a multi‑storey complex whose original planning dates back decades. Vanguard News+3allAfrica.com+3The Guardian Nigeria+3
The building has been stalled for a long time: costs have escalated, funding has been irregular, and construction progress has been slow. allAfrica.com+2The Sun+2
The First Lady launched a birthday‑initiative dubbed Oluremi@65 Education Fund and asked Nigerians to forgo flowers, gifts, paper adverts, etc., in favour of contributions to the library’s completion. The Guardian Nigeria+2ripplesnigeria.com+2
As of the time of her announcements (late September 2025), over ₦20.4–20.7 billion has been raised so far, though the total required to finish the project is far higher (various reports suggest between ₦100‑₦200 billion, depending on scope and what is included). The Guardian Nigeria+3allAfrica.com+3Vanguard News+3

“Not for 2027”: What She Says

Remi Tinubu has explicitly stated that the fundraiser is not politically motivated and is not being conducted in connection with any electoral agenda, especially not her husband’s 2027 reelection campaign. The Guardian Nigeria+3The Sun+3ripplesnigeria.com+3
She says the initiative is born of her love of education, her experiences as teacher, and her personal belief in the transformative power of libraries. Vanguard News+1
The fundraiser’s account is managed by signatories including the Minister of Education and the Chief Librarian of the Federation; she claims she is merely driving the fundraising, not controlling the financial management. ripplesnigeria.com+2Vanguard News+2

The Criticisms & Concerns

While many have applauded the idea and the funds raised, several critiques and points of concern have emerged. They include:

Political Timing and Motive Speculation
- Some critics argue that launching a massive fundraising drive of this kind, tied to the First Lady’s birthday, so close to the lead‑up to the 2027 general election, invites suspicion that the project could be used for political gain.
- They point to the practice of “political philanthropy” — using charitable or development gestures as a way to burnish public image or influence public sentiment.
Role of the Federal Government vs. Personal Initiative
- Parties like the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have said the library is a national asset, created by an Act of Parliament, and its funding and completion should chiefly be the responsibility of government budgets — not private or personal fundraising. Vanguard News+2Channels Television+2
- The concern is that relying on goodwill donations or birthday‑funds for essential public infrastructure may set a dangerous precedent, where government neglect is offset only by personal generosity rather than systematic policy or budgetary allocation.
Transparency and Accountability
- Questions also arise about exactly how the funds will be used: what parts of the project will be completed (structural work? interiors? equipment? staffing?), who will oversee disbursement, how long the completion would take, and what safeguards exist to ensure funds are properly used.
- Also, whether the total cost estimates are realistic, and whether the ₦20‑20.7 billion already raised reduces the burden enough, or whether many more billions will be needed.
Precedent and Sustainability
- Even if this building is completed, there remain questions about recurring funding (maintenance, staffing, acquisitions, running the library) and whether the project will be properly integrated into the national research, education, and heritage ecosystem.
- Also, critics caution that generosity as a substitute for governance is not sustainable: once the spotlight moves elsewhere, will government continue to allocate funds for maintenance, updates, and expansion?

What Would “Not for 2027” Mean in Practice?

If Remi Tinubu’s claim that this is not for 2027 is sincere and upheld, some implications would include:

No coordination of the project or fundraising with electoral campaign efforts or party machinery.
Complete transparency about fund flows, timelines, and deliverables, so that the public can assess the project on its merits, not as part of a political narrative.
Assurance that the government will embed the project funding into budget lines so that after donations, the government takes over responsibility for long‑term sustainability.
Ensuring that the project’s benefits (library access, research capacity, preservation, scholarship) are accessible to all Nigerians, rather than used as political capital in specific regions or among particular constituencies.

Why the Issue Matters

Symbolic Value: The National Library is more than just a building. For scholars, students, policy‑makers, it is a symbol of national knowledge, memory, and intellectual heritage. Finishing it has both practical and symbolic importance.
Public Trust: When citizens see large‑scale fundraising efforts led by political figures, the perception of motive and accountability becomes crucial. Trust depends on clarity and integrity.
Governance: How this is handled may set or reinforce precedents about how infrastructure is funded, how government responds to delays, and how citizens can or should be involved in national projects.

Conclusion

The ₦20 billion (or thereabouts) raised by Remi Tinubu for the National Library is a significant achievement, and many would argue a welcome fillip to an infrastructure project that has long dragged behind schedule. The assertion that it is “not for 2027” aims to forestall cynicism that it is tied to electoral politics. Whether the public accepts this — or remains skeptical — will depend heavily on how the project is executed, how transparent the process is, and whether the government demonstrates consistent commitment to finishing and sustaining the library beyond the initial fanfare.

If the First Lady and the government succeed, the library could become a lasting legacy worthy of public pride. If not, it could reinforce a pattern where grand promises lead only to partial completion, and where political optics overshadow durable public benefit.

If you like, I can prepare a version of this with interviews or more voices from civil society, or explore similar projects for comparison. Do you want that?

You said:

remove links

ChatGPT said:

Certainly! Here’s the same article with all links removed for a cleaner and more formal read:

N20 Billion Library Fundraiser: Not for 2027 — Remi Tinubu

A lively debate has emerged following the announcement by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, that her 65th birthday fundraiser has mobilized over ₦20 billion toward completing the long‑abandoned National Library project in Abuja. But one phrase has stood out: according to her, the fundraiser is “not tied to 2027” — a reference to speculations about political motives and possible reelection ambitions. Let’s unpack what is going on.

What Is the Fundraiser About

The project is the National Library of Nigeria in Abuja, a multi‑storey complex whose original planning dates back decades.
The building has been stalled for a long time: costs have escalated, funding has been irregular, and construction progress has been slow.
The First Lady launched a birthday initiative dubbed Oluremi@65 Education Fund and asked Nigerians to forgo flowers, gifts, and adverts in favour of contributions to the library’s completion.
As of the time of her announcements in September 2025, over ₦20.4–20.7 billion has been raised so far, though the total required to finish the project is far higher, with estimates ranging from ₦100–₦200 billion.

“Not for 2027”: What She Says

Remi Tinubu has explicitly stated that the fundraiser is not politically motivated and is not connected to her husband’s 2027 reelection campaign.
She says the initiative stems from her passion for education, her background as a teacher, and her belief in the importance of libraries.
She also noted that the fundraiser is managed transparently, with account signatories including the Minister of Education and the National Librarian, not herself directly.

The Criticisms & Concerns

While many have applauded the idea and the funds raised, several critiques and points of concern have emerged:

1. Political Timing and Motive Speculation

Some critics argue that launching a massive fundraising drive tied to the First Lady’s birthday, so close to the 2027 election cycle, invites suspicion. The initiative may be perceived as political philanthropy — using charity or public works to curry political favour.

2. Government Responsibility vs. Private Initiative

Parties such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have pointed out that the National Library is a federal institution established by law, and its completion should be a matter of national budget and policy, not private donations or personal campaigns.

3. Transparency and Accountability

Questions remain about how the raised funds will be used. What parts of the project will the ₦20 billion cover? Who will oversee spending? Are there safeguards in place to ensure proper use? Additionally, concerns persist about the overall cost and whether this initiative will lead to the project’s actual completion.

4. Precedent and Sustainability

Even if completed, the sustainability of the library is another issue. Who will maintain it? Will there be proper staffing, book acquisition, digital resources, and access for the public? Critics caution against relying on one-time donations to complete long-term public infrastructure.

What Would “Not for 2027” Mean in Practice?

If Remi Tinubu’s claim that the fundraiser is not politically motivated is upheld, several things would need to happen:

The initiative must remain separate from campaign activities or partisan promotion.
Full financial transparency should be provided — from donations to contracts and expenditures.
The federal government should institutionalize funding for the library’s maintenance and operations.
Access to the completed library should benefit the entire public, not just select groups or regions.

Why the Issue Matters

Symbolic Value: The National Library is more than just a building — it’s a symbol of national memory, learning, and cultural preservation. Completing it would be a major symbolic milestone.
Public Trust: When public figures lead massive fundraising efforts, the public expects clarity, integrity, and non-partisan execution.
Governance: The handling of this project could shape future expectations about how national infrastructure is funded — through personal initiative or public budgeting.

Conclusion

The ₦20 billion raised by Remi Tinubu for the National Library is a remarkable contribution to a long-overdue national project. Her insistence that the effort is “not for 2027” is clearly aimed at quelling public skepticism. However, for the initiative to be fully embraced, it must be handled with a high level of transparency, political neutrality, and a clear roadmap to completion and sustainability.

What Is the Fundraiser About

The project is the National Library of Nigeria in Abuja (the new headquarters / National Assembly Library project), a multi‑storey complex whose original planning dates back decades. Vanguard News+3allAfrica.com+3The Guardian Nigeria+3
The building has been stalled for a long time: costs have escalated, funding has been irregular, and construction progress has been slow. allAfrica.com+2The Sun+2
The First Lady launched a birthday‑initiative dubbed Oluremi@65 Education Fund and asked Nigerians to forgo flowers, gifts, paper adverts, etc., in favour of contributions to the library’s completion. The Guardian Nigeria+2ripplesnigeria.com+2
As of the time of her announcements (late September 2025), over ₦20.4–20.7 billion has been raised so far, though the total required to finish the project is far higher (various reports suggest between ₦100‑₦200 billion, depending on scope and what is included). The Guardian Nigeria+3allAfrica.com+3Vanguard News+3

“Not for 2027”: What She Says

Remi Tinubu has explicitly stated that the fundraiser is not politically motivated and is not being conducted in connection with any electoral agenda, especially not her husband’s 2027 reelection campaign. The Guardian Nigeria+3The Sun+3ripplesnigeria.com+3
She says the initiative is born of her love of education, her experiences as teacher, and her personal belief in the transformative power of libraries. Vanguard News+1
The fundraiser’s account is managed by signatories including the Minister of Education and the Chief Librarian of the Federation; she claims she is merely driving the fundraising, not controlling the financial management. ripplesnigeria.com+2Vanguard News+2

The Criticisms & Concerns

While many have applauded the idea and the funds raised, several critiques and points of concern have emerged. They include:

Political Timing and Motive Speculation
- Some critics argue that launching a massive fundraising drive of this kind, tied to the First Lady’s birthday, so close to the lead‑up to the 2027 general election, invites suspicion that the project could be used for political gain.
- They point to the practice of “political philanthropy” — using charitable or development gestures as a way to burnish public image or influence public sentiment.
Role of the Federal Government vs. Personal Initiative
- Parties like the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have said the library is a national asset, created by an Act of Parliament, and its funding and completion should chiefly be the responsibility of government budgets — not private or personal fundraising. Vanguard News+2Channels Television+2
- The concern is that relying on goodwill donations or birthday‑funds for essential public infrastructure may set a dangerous precedent, where government neglect is offset only by personal generosity rather than systematic policy or budgetary allocation.
Transparency and Accountability
- Questions also arise about exactly how the funds will be used: what parts of the project will be completed (structural work? interiors? equipment? staffing?), who will oversee disbursement, how long the completion would take, and what safeguards exist to ensure funds are properly used.
- Also, whether the total cost estimates are realistic, and whether the ₦20‑20.7 billion already raised reduces the burden enough, or whether many more billions will be needed.
Precedent and Sustainability
- Even if this building is completed, there remain questions about recurring funding (maintenance, staffing, acquisitions, running the library) and whether the project will be properly integrated into the national research, education, and heritage ecosystem.
- Also, critics caution that generosity as a substitute for governance is not sustainable: once the spotlight moves elsewhere, will government continue to allocate funds for maintenance, updates, and expansion?

What Would “Not for 2027” Mean in Practice?

If Remi Tinubu’s claim that this is not for 2027 is sincere and upheld, some implications would include:

No coordination of the project or fundraising with electoral campaign efforts or party machinery.
Complete transparency about fund flows, timelines, and deliverables, so that the public can assess the project on its merits, not as part of a political narrative.
Assurance that the government will embed the project funding into budget lines so that after donations, the government takes over responsibility for long‑term sustainability.
Ensuring that the project’s benefits (library access, research capacity, preservation, scholarship) are accessible to all Nigerians, rather than used as political capital in specific regions or among particular constituencies.

Why the Issue Matters

Symbolic Value: The National Library is more than just a building. For scholars, students, policy‑makers, it is a symbol of national knowledge, memory, and intellectual heritage. Finishing it has both practical and symbolic importance.
Public Trust: When citizens see large‑scale fundraising efforts led by political figures, the perception of motive and accountability becomes crucial. Trust depends on clarity and integrity.
Governance: How this is handled may set or reinforce precedents about how infrastructure is funded, how government responds to delays, and how citizens can or should be involved in national projects.

Conclusion

If you like, I can prepare a version of this with interviews or more voices from civil society, or explore similar projects for comparison. Do you want that?

You said:

remove links

ChatGPT said:

Certainly! Here’s the same article with all links removed for a cleaner and more formal read:

N20 Billion Library Fundraiser: Not for 2027 — Remi Tinubu

What Is the Fundraiser About

The project is the National Library of Nigeria in Abuja, a multi‑storey complex whose original planning dates back decades.
The building has been stalled for a long time: costs have escalated, funding has been irregular, and construction progress has been slow.
The First Lady launched a birthday initiative dubbed Oluremi@65 Education Fund and asked Nigerians to forgo flowers, gifts, and adverts in favour of contributions to the library’s completion.
As of the time of her announcements in September 2025, over ₦20.4–20.7 billion has been raised so far, though the total required to finish the project is far higher, with estimates ranging from ₦100–₦200 billion.

“Not for 2027”: What She Says

Remi Tinubu has explicitly stated that the fundraiser is not politically motivated and is not connected to her husband’s 2027 reelection campaign.
She says the initiative stems from her passion for education, her background as a teacher, and her belief in the importance of libraries.
She also noted that the fundraiser is managed transparently, with account signatories including the Minister of Education and the National Librarian, not herself directly.

The Criticisms & Concerns

While many have applauded the idea and the funds raised, several critiques and points of concern have emerged:

1. Political Timing and Motive Speculation

2. Government Responsibility vs. Private Initiative

3. Transparency and Accountability

4. Precedent and Sustainability

What Would “Not for 2027” Mean in Practice?

If Remi Tinubu’s claim that the fundraiser is not politically motivated is upheld, several things would need to happen:

The initiative must remain separate from campaign activities or partisan promotion.
Full financial transparency should be provided — from donations to contracts and expenditures.
The federal government should institutionalize funding for the library’s maintenance and operations.
Access to the completed library should benefit the entire public, not just select groups or regions.

Why the Issue Matters

Symbolic Value: The National Library is more than just a building — it’s a symbol of national memory, learning, and cultural preservation. Completing it would be a major symbolic milestone.
Public Trust: When public figures lead massive fundraising efforts, the public expects clarity, integrity, and non-partisan execution.
Governance: The handling of this project could shape future expectations about how national infrastructure is funded — through personal initiative or public budgeting.

Conclusion

If successful, the project could become a lasting legacy. If mishandled, it risks reinforcing distrust in how public infrastructure is prioritized — and politicized — in Nigeria.A lively debate has emerged following the announcement by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (also known as Remi Tinubu), that her 65th birthday fundraiser has mobilized over ₦20 billion toward completing the long‑abandoned National Library project in Abuja. But one phrase has stood out: according to her, the fundraiser is “not tied to 2027” — a reference to speculations about political motives and possible reelection ambitions. Let’s unpack what is going on.

What Is the Fundraiser About

The project is the National Library of Nigeria in Abuja (the new headquarters / National Assembly Library project), a multi‑storey complex whose original planning dates back decades. Vanguard News+3allAfrica.com+3The Guardian Nigeria+3
The building has been stalled for a long time: costs have escalated, funding has been irregular, and construction progress has been slow. allAfrica.com+2The Sun+2
The First Lady launched a birthday‑initiative dubbed Oluremi@65 Education Fund and asked Nigerians to forgo flowers, gifts, paper adverts, etc., in favour of contributions to the library’s completion. The Guardian Nigeria+2ripplesnigeria.com+2
As of the time of her announcements (late September 2025), over ₦20.4–20.7 billion has been raised so far, though the total required to finish the project is far higher (various reports suggest between ₦100‑₦200 billion, depending on scope and what is included). The Guardian Nigeria+3allAfrica.com+3Vanguard News+3

“Not for 2027”: What She Says

Remi Tinubu has explicitly stated that the fundraiser is not politically motivated and is not being conducted in connection with any electoral agenda, especially not her husband’s 2027 reelection campaign. The Guardian Nigeria+3The Sun+3ripplesnigeria.com+3
She says the initiative is born of her love of education, her experiences as teacher, and her personal belief in the transformative power of libraries. Vanguard News+1
The fundraiser’s account is managed by signatories including the Minister of Education and the Chief Librarian of the Federation; she claims she is merely driving the fundraising, not controlling the financial management. ripplesnigeria.com+2Vanguard News+2

The Criticisms & Concerns

While many have applauded the idea and the funds raised, several critiques and points of concern have emerged. They include:

Political Timing and Motive Speculation
- Some critics argue that launching a massive fundraising drive of this kind, tied to the First Lady’s birthday, so close to the lead‑up to the 2027 general election, invites suspicion that the project could be used for political gain.
- They point to the practice of “political philanthropy” — using charitable or development gestures as a way to burnish public image or influence public sentiment.
Role of the Federal Government vs. Personal Initiative
- Parties like the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have said the library is a national asset, created by an Act of Parliament, and its funding and completion should chiefly be the responsibility of government budgets — not private or personal fundraising. Vanguard News+2Channels Television+2
- The concern is that relying on goodwill donations or birthday‑funds for essential public infrastructure may set a dangerous precedent, where government neglect is offset only by personal generosity rather than systematic policy or budgetary allocation.
Transparency and Accountability
- Questions also arise about exactly how the funds will be used: what parts of the project will be completed (structural work? interiors? equipment? staffing?), who will oversee disbursement, how long the completion would take, and what safeguards exist to ensure funds are properly used.
- Also, whether the total cost estimates are realistic, and whether the ₦20‑20.7 billion already raised reduces the burden enough, or whether many more billions will be needed.
Precedent and Sustainability
- Even if this building is completed, there remain questions about recurring funding (maintenance, staffing, acquisitions, running the library) and whether the project will be properly integrated into the national research, education, and heritage ecosystem.
- Also, critics caution that generosity as a substitute for governance is not sustainable: once the spotlight moves elsewhere, will government continue to allocate funds for maintenance, updates, and expansion?

What Would “Not for 2027” Mean in Practice?

If Remi Tinubu’s claim that this is not for 2027 is sincere and upheld, some implications would include:

No coordination of the project or fundraising with electoral campaign efforts or party machinery.
Complete transparency about fund flows, timelines, and deliverables, so that the public can assess the project on its merits, not as part of a political narrative.
Assurance that the government will embed the project funding into budget lines so that after donations, the government takes over responsibility for long‑term sustainability.
Ensuring that the project’s benefits (library access, research capacity, preservation, scholarship) are accessible to all Nigerians, rather than used as political capital in specific regions or among particular constituencies.

Why the Issue Matters

Symbolic Value: The National Library is more than just a building. For scholars, students, policy‑makers, it is a symbol of national knowledge, memory, and intellectual heritage. Finishing it has both practical and symbolic importance.
Public Trust: When citizens see large‑scale fundraising efforts led by political figures, the perception of motive and accountability becomes crucial. Trust depends on clarity and integrity.
Governance: How this is handled may set or reinforce precedents about how infrastructure is funded, how government responds to delays, and how citizens can or should be involved in national projects.

Conclusion

If you like, I can prepare a version of this with interviews or more voices from civil society, or explore similar projects for comparison. Do you want that?

You said:

remove links

ChatGPT said:

Certainly! Here’s the same article with all links removed for a cleaner and more formal read:

N20 Billion Library Fundraiser: Not for 2027 — Remi Tinubu

What Is the Fundraiser About

The project is the National Library of Nigeria in Abuja, a multi‑storey complex whose original planning dates back decades.
The building has been stalled for a long time: costs have escalated, funding has been irregular, and construction progress has been slow.
The First Lady launched a birthday initiative dubbed Oluremi@65 Education Fund and asked Nigerians to forgo flowers, gifts, and adverts in favour of contributions to the library’s completion.
As of the time of her announcements in September 2025, over ₦20.4–20.7 billion has been raised so far, though the total required to finish the project is far higher, with estimates ranging from ₦100–₦200 billion.

“Not for 2027”: What She Says

Remi Tinubu has explicitly stated that the fundraiser is not politically motivated and is not connected to her husband’s 2027 reelection campaign.
She says the initiative stems from her passion for education, her background as a teacher, and her belief in the importance of libraries.
She also noted that the fundraiser is managed transparently, with account signatories including the Minister of Education and the National Librarian, not herself directly.

The Criticisms & Concerns

While many have applauded the idea and the funds raised, several critiques and points of concern have emerged:

1. Political Timing and Motive Speculation

2. Government Responsibility vs. Private Initiative

3. Transparency and Accountability

4. Precedent and Sustainability

What Would “Not for 2027” Mean in Practice?

If Remi Tinubu’s claim that the fundraiser is not politically motivated is upheld, several things would need to happen:

The initiative must remain separate from campaign activities or partisan promotion.
Full financial transparency should be provided — from donations to contracts and expenditures.
The federal government should institutionalize funding for the library’s maintenance and operations.
Access to the completed library should benefit the entire public, not just select groups or regions.

Why the Issue Matters

Symbolic Value: The National Library is more than just a building — it’s a symbol of national memory, learning, and cultural preservation. Completing it would be a major symbolic milestone.
Public Trust: When public figures lead massive fundraising efforts, the public expects clarity, integrity, and non-partisan execution.
Governance: The handling of this project could shape future expectations about how national infrastructure is funded — through personal initiative or public budgeting.

Conclusion

If successful, the project could become a lasting legacy. If mishandled, it risks reinforcing distrust in how public infrastructure is prioritized — and politicized — in Nigeria.