The National Library of Nigeria has welcomed the launch of a crowdfunding initiative by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for the completion of its headquarters.

Public Relations Officer, National Library of Nigeria, Orvell Diô, noted that the initiative is a testament that prominent Nigerians are noticing the hard work of the National Librarian/Chief Executive Officer of NLN, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi.

In an interview with journalists in Abuja, the spokesperson said the involvement of the First Lady will not only draw wider public attention to the library’s ongoing infrastructural challenges but also encourage Nigerians from all walks of life to take ownership of the project.

He stressed that the completion of the library is crucial to the intellectual and cultural development of the country, as it serves as the apex repository of its knowledge resources.

The Guardian reports that the project for the National Library of Nigeria headquarters has remained uncompleted in the last 19 years.  Diô further explained that crowdfunding provides an opportunity for collective responsibility, where both individuals and institutions can contribute meaningfully towards safeguarding the country’s educational heritage.

He expressed optimism that the initiative will bridge the gap left by insufficient budgetary allocations over the years, ensuring that the library can finally operate from a befitting national headquarters.  He also praised Anunobi’s tireless leadership, adding that her eight-point agenda has continued to keep the vision of the library alive.

According to him, the support of the First Lady will not only accelerate the completion process but also inspire confidence among local and international partners to collaborate with the organisation.

“We felt quite happy when the First Lady made the announcement for the completion of our permanent headquarters. We were happy that somebody noticed that we are here. If the National Librarian, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi, wasn’t doing something worth it, nobody will notice.

“So, what she has been doing is yielding results enough for us to have been noticed. And then people in authority, in the highest position, have taken note and seen that we need a better place, and they are making efforts to see that the better place is completed for us,” he said.

Diô also announced that Anunobi has been elected First Vice Chairman of the Conference of Directors of National Libraries, a global forum for national library heads to share ideas and address common challenges in preserving and providing access to their countries’ documentary heritage.

He said Anunobi has become the first African to ascend to this position, noting that she has been invited to speak at the 50th anniversary of the International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) International Centre, which will be held in October this year.