The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has warned contractors and consultants handling the National Library of Nigeria project to meet agreed delivery timelines or face sanctions.
Alausa issued the warning during a meeting with contractors, consultants and officials of the National Library of Nigeria, where he stressed the need for quality work, accountability and timely completion of the long-delayed project.
“This is a change day. We will make you accountable for the timelines we’re going to set for ourselves,” the minister told the stakeholders.
He said the Federal Government would establish realistic delivery timelines and ensure that contractors and consultants fulfilled the commitments contained in agreements being developed for the project.
“If you’re not meeting your guidelines, the timelines, I’m sorry, you’ll be penalised,” he warned.
Alausa assured the contractors that the government was prepared to provide the necessary funds to complete the project but insisted that the work must be delivered according to agreed standards and timelines.
To speed up the project, the minister disclosed that the National Library development had been divided into two major components — physical infrastructure and furnishing — which would be executed concurrently.
He described the National Library as more than just a building, noting that it is a critical national institution for learning, research, knowledge development and human capital development.
According to him, the project was conceived in 1981, while construction began in 2006 with an initial completion period of 24 months. Despite the original 2008 deadline, the project has remained incomplete for years.
The minister noted that the National Library occupies a strategic location in Abuja’s Central Business District alongside other major national landmarks.
He said the renewed push to complete the project was part of the Federal Government’s broader commitment to strengthening education infrastructure and human capital development under President Bola Tinubu.
Alausa added that the President had demonstrated strong commitment to the education sector through increased attention to the sector and innovative financing arrangements aimed at completing critical projects, including the National Library.
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