Nigeria to remodel National Library to mirror Qatar standards

Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has issued a warning to contractors and consultants working on the National Library of Nigeria project, stating they will face sanctions for missing agreed deadlines. During a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, Alausa emphasized that while the Federal Government will provide necessary funding, it will demand strict accountability, quality, and timely delivery.

The government plans to remodel the long-delayed facility to mirror the standards of the National Library of Qatar. This directive follows a visit to the Qatari institution by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who instructed officials to incorporate modern features into the Nigerian project. To expedite progress, the procurement process has been split into two concurrent components: physical infrastructure and furnishing.

The National Library project, originally conceived in 1981 with construction starting in 2006, has faced decades of delays. The renewed approach aims to transform the site into a modern institution with a focus on accessibility and inclusion, including dedicated spaces for children and persons with disabilities.