The Nigerian Library Association (NLA) has strongly condemned a recent statement credited to Chief Olabode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in which he reportedly advised the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to divert donations raised for the completion of the National Library of Nigeria (NLN) headquarters to “hungry Nigerians.”
In a statement issued on Friday, the NLA described the comment as “misinformed, insensitive, and detrimental to national development,” stressing that the National Library project is a critical intellectual and educational infrastructure that should not be trivialised or politicised.
According to the association, the National Library of Nigeria, conceived decades ago, remains an unfinished national monument despite its importance to research, education, cultural preservation, and policy development. The NLA argued that completing the project would provide long-term benefits to millions of Nigerians, including students, researchers, policymakers, and future generations.
“The suggestion that funds specifically donated for the completion of the National Library should be diverted undermines donor intent, weakens institutional development, and sets a dangerous precedent,” the statement read. “Addressing hunger and completing the National Library are not mutually exclusive responsibilities of government.”
The association further commended Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her support and advocacy towards the completion of the NLN headquarters, noting that private and public donations were mobilised transparently for a clearly defined purpose.
While acknowledging the prevailing economic hardship and food insecurity in parts of the country, the NLA maintained that social welfare interventions should be handled through appropriate government programmes and budgetary provisions, not by redirecting funds meant for critical national projects.
The NLA called on political leaders and public figures to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public comments, urging them to support initiatives that strengthen Nigeria’s educational and knowledge institutions rather than diminish them.
The association also appealed to the Federal Government to prioritise the completion of the National Library headquarters, describing it as a symbol of Nigeria’s commitment to education, scholarship, and cultural heritage.
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