‎Confusion erupts as late Buhari listed among donors to N20 billion National Library fund

‎A recent birthday fundraising spearheaded by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, aimed at completing the National Library project in Abuja, has raised controversy following the inclusion of former President Muhammadu Buhari as a contributor to the N20.4 billion collected.
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‎On September 21, marking her 65th birthday, Senator Tinubu announced a special fundraising campaign, urging well-wishers to channel gifts into a dedicated Zenith Bank account under the “Oluremi at 65 Education Fund,” overseen by the federal ministry of education. The project seeks to revive the decades-long forgotten National Library project, started in 1981 with an initial budget of N8.2 billion which has ballooned over the years.
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‎During a press gathering two days after the event, the First Lady revealed that the campaign had garnered over N20 billion in contributions so far. She credited prominent supporters including President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and his wife, and several former first ladies among others. Business leaders like Aliko Dangote and Tony Elumelu were also recognized for their generous support.
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‎However, the announcement that former President Buhari, who passed away in July 2025, was among the donors raised nationwide debate. Many Nigerians on social platforms expressed skepticism regarding the transparency and legitimacy of naming a deceased individual as a benefactor. Some questioned the credibility of the funds collected and called for clearer disclosure of the donor list and fund management.
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‎Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, stressed that It is inappropriate for a country to depend on birthday contributions to finish essential national facilities.
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‎The fund account will remain open until December 2025, for contributions from Nigerians hoping to see the National Library finally completed.
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