Obasanjo Urges Action on Long-Delayed National Library in Abuja

Obasanjo Urges Action on Long-Delayed National Library in Abuja

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stressed the urgent need to address the long-overdue National Library project, which has been stalled for over 18 years. Speaking at the 60th anniversary celebration of the National Library of Nigeria in Abuja, Obasanjo emphasized that the library is not just a symbol but a critical resource for the nation.

As earlier reported, the National Library project, located on Plot 35 in the Cadastral Business District of Abuja, was awarded to Reynolds Construction Company in 2006 under Obasanjo’s administration. The project, valued at N8.9 billion, had an original completion deadline of four years.

In his speech, Obasanjo said, “As we celebrate this important milestone, we must confront the pressing issue of completing the National Library headquarters in Abuja.”

He added, “The vision for a state-of-the-art national library is more than a symbolic goal; it is a crucial need for our nation. It reflects our collective commitment to harnessing the transformative power of knowledge for the advancement of society.”

Obasanjo urged all stakeholders, including the government, the private sector, and international partners, to prioritize finishing the project. He further stated, “A fully operational headquarters would serve as a center for literacy and education, a hub for cultural preservation, and an international symbol of Nigeria’s commitment to innovation and education.”

Professor Veronica Anunobi, the National Librarian, also shared the library’s achievements, noting, “Since 1974, we have issued over 1 million International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs) and 27,755 International Standard Serial Numbers (ISSNs) since 1976. This year, we made significant strides in issuing International Standard Music Numbers (ISMN) for published music scores.”