First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, announced that her 65th birthday fundraiser in support of the completion of the National Library project has so far raised ₦20.7 billion.
She disclosed at a lunch with journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, explaining that the account for the initiative, tagged Oluremi@65 Education Fund, will remain open until December 2025 to allow more Nigerians to contribute to the cause.
According to her, the project is aimed at mobilising collective responsibility for national development. Quoting Lebanese poet and philosopher Gebran Khalil Gebran, she emphasised the importance of citizens asking what they can do for their country, rather than what the country can do for them.
“We all have to rise up and play our parts in the building process. A grain of sand and a drop of water make a mighty ocean,” the First Lady stated.
Senator Tinubu dismissed claims that the fundraiser was politically motivated, stressing that her passion stemmed from her background as a teacher and the impact libraries had on her formative years.
She recalled that her philanthropic interventions date back decades, citing past milestones: ₦50 million raised for the National Sickle Cell Foundation Centre at her 45th birthday, ₦200 million for the New Era Foundation and other charities at 50, and her donation of schools in Liberia during its post-war recovery.
“What is wrong with trying to build our country? If I could assist Liberia after its war, why can’t I draw attention to areas of need in our beloved nation?” she asked.
The First Lady emphasised that she had already played her part, but expressed confidence that Nigerians would rally to raise the balance needed for the completion of the library, which she described as “a national treasure that will serve generations to come.”
She also clarified that she is not a signatory to the fundraising account. The Minister of Education and the Chief Librarian of the Federation, she said, are the official signatories, while her role remains to drive the campaign.
As of 2 p.m. on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, the account had realised ₦20.4 billion, with donations still being received.
