Abandoned National Library: How Corruption Stalled Completion for 18 Years

Nigeria’s National Library Headquarters in Abuja is envisioned as a grand repository of information and a cultural hub, but instead, has become a stark symbol of governmental neglect, eighteen years after the construction started.

The abandonment of the project can largely be attributed to a lack of political will and consistent financial support across successive governments.

While the President Muhammadu Buhari administration allocated N80 billion for the continuation of the National Library’s construction, there has been little to no disbursement of these funds.

Timeline of construction and cost revision

• 2006: The construction commenced under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration with an initial budget of less than N9 billion.

• March 2010: The Ministry of Education increased the project budget to N17 billion to cover a 21-month completion period.

• 2013: The project stalled after nearly 50% completion. Despite having consumed about N20 billion, it was left in limbo due to alleged bureaucratic resistance and a lack of political resolve from subsequent administrations.

A reliable source at the National Library cited by The Guardian, said: “You know our civil servants and how they operate. If there is no kickback for them, they will do everything to frustrate it. That is exactly what is stalling the project.”

• 2021: Under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, a revised estimate suggested the need for N49.64 billion to complete the project according to the Ministry of Education, while the construction firm, Reynolds Construction Company (RCC), projected N120.33 billion due to inflation and rising material costs.

• June 2021: With ongoing delays and escalating costs, President Buhari approved the transfer of financial responsibility for the project to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). The agency earmarked an initial N15 billion to restart work, but up to date, this tranche has not been disbursed due to procedural requirements.

A TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono confirmed this:

“There is a due process involved in any release from our organisation and we still require two documents before we can release the money.

“The funds are available; they are with us, but we are unable to release them until we get evidence of the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) approval for the revised estimated total cost.

“The second document we require is undertaken by the contractors that they will complete the project at the approved cost. Once we do that, I will receive advice from the Ministry of Education and we will go ahead and release the funds,” he said.

• Current Estimates: With the latest exchange rate impacts and continued inflation, experts now estimate that completing the National Library would require approximately N218.44 billion.

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This extensive revision and financial escalation underline the significant challenges in completing a project critical for preserving Nigeria’s educational and cultural heritage.

Despite several governmental promises and the involvement of multiple agencies, the National Library’s completion remains uncertain, reflecting broader issues within public sector project management in Nigeria.