Mixed reactions have trailed the directive by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, that all goodwill and donations to mark her 65th birthday, which will be held tomorrow, should be channeled towards the completion of the long-abandoned National Library headquarters project in Abuja.

While several organisations and commentators praised the decision as a demonstration of vision and commitment to national development, others faulted it, describing the gesture as an indictment of the government for failing to prioritise the project.

The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, the Yoruba Leaders of Thought, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), all commended Mrs. Tinubu’s initiative.

They described it as a much-needed intervention in the nation’s intellectual and cultural infrastructure. Spokesman of the Yoruba Leaders of Thought, Bayo Aina, lauded her record of humanitarian service since her time as First Lady of Lagos State (1999–2007), her consistency in supporting poverty alleviation, and her impact as a three-term senator representing Lagos Central.

He described her directive as fantastic and exemplary, reflecting “the values of a God-fearing mother and a leader deeply committed to education and knowledge.”

Similarly, DAWN Director-General, Seye Oyeleye, hailed Mrs. Tinubu for prioritising the library project as part of her milestone celebration, stressing that the initiative should galvanise a broader national commitment to learning.

Oyeleye queried how Nigerians have continued to erect multi-million-naira churches, mosques, and other edifices while the National Library, an institution symbolising knowledge and growth, remains neglected.

He urged both the federal and state governments to seize this momentum and complete the project beyond the First Lady’s intervention. It will be recalled that former Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and former Senator representing Lagos East, Gbenga Ashafa, had in July 2017 raised a motion on the abandoned National Library in the 8th Senate.

Under construction since 2006, the project has consumed billions of naira while the National Library continues to operate from a rented building.  Ashafa lamented then that the neglect undermined Nigeria’s educational and cultural development.

In a dissenting reaction, however, Middle Belt Forum (MBF) spokesman, Isuwa Dogo, argued that while the First Lady’s initiative was commendable, it highlighted the negligence of the project by the Ministry of Education and other government agencies.

Dogo said:  “If she truly wants something done about the National Library, she can appeal directly to the Ministries of Finance, Education, TETFund, the Central Bank and other strong institutions to fund it. She can also mobilise First Ladies across the 36 states, while channeling birthday donations towards widows and children of fallen security personnel.”

National Secretary of the NUJ and public affairs analyst, Achike Chude, described the state of the National Library as a sad reflection of Nigeria’s poor prioritisation of knowledge.

While commending the First Lady’s thoughtfulness, he stressed that beyond symbolic gestures, she should work closely with President Tinubu to address the wider economic challenges Nigerians have faced since 2023.