Wife of Nigeria’s president, Senator Remi Tinubu, today disclosed that about ₦20 billion has so far been realised by her supporters towards the completion of the National Library project.
Tinubu spoke at a lunch with State House correspondents to mark her 65th birthday on Tuesday at the presidential Villa.
She said the library project was her chosen legacy gift to the nation and promised to continue to work towards its completion.
The First Lady explained that instead of receiving cakes, gifts, and adverts for her birthday, she appealed to Nigerians to channel their goodwill into funding the completion of the National Library.
Referring to negative comments from some quarters, Tinubu dismissed claims that the gesture had political undertones, stressing that her only motivation was service to the country.
“I want to clear the air about some people saying it has a political undertone. What is wrong in doing well?” she asked.
Speaking on the reason for choosing the National Library, Mrs Tinubu recalled her years in the Senate where she served for 12 years on the Committee on Education. She said her humble upbringing also made her appreciate the value of libraries.
“From a humble background, the library played a role in my life,” she said. “That’s why I thought this is a worthy cause.”
She noted that education remained central to national development and pledged to sustain her commitment to projects that would benefit future generations.
He then announced that about ₦20 billion has so far been raised for the library project through the Oluremi @65 Education Fund, with more donations expected.
The fund will be managed by the Ministry of Education.
