By Stanley Onyekwere
The National Library of Nigeria (NLN) has officially launched the National Library of Nigeria Endowment Foundation (NLNEF) at the TETFund Auditorium in Maitama, Abuja, establishing a strategic public-private partnership framework to tackle chronic funding shortages and preserve the nation’s documentary heritage in the digital era.
The landmark event on Thursday brought together government officials, academic leaders, diplomats, key industry stakeholders and information professionals to build a sustainable financial future for the institution through philanthropy, corporate support and crowdfunding.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, President of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) and Chairman of the Council of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), emphasised that modern libraries must transition from passive repositories of books to active engines of technological growth.
“Technological advancement does not begin with machines. It begins with knowledge.
“If we want Nigeria to become a technologically advanced nation, we must invest not only in laboratories, innovation hubs and digital infrastructure, but also in the institutions that make knowledge accessible,” Prof. Onwualu stated.
He urged Nigerian libraries to evolve into dynamic digital hubs offering digital literacy programmes, access to global research databases, institutional repositories and collaborative spaces.
Highlighting the rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI), big data and automation, he noted that modern library systems are indispensable for promoting AI literacy and guiding researchers through vast streams of digital data.
Speaking at the unveiling, the National Librarian/CEO of the NLN and Chairperson of the NLNEF, Prof. Chinwe Veronica Anunobi, explained that the foundation was established to address the pressing need to supplement government funding.
She noted that traditional budgetary allocations could no longer sustain the library’s network of 35 state branches, meet rising digitisation demands or finance the completion of the National Library Headquarters in Abuja.
Drawing parallels with the Ford Foundation’s foundational support for the NLN in the 1960s, Prof. Anunobi called on public and private entities to take collective ownership of Nigeria’s intellectual resources.
“Our aspiration is clear: to ensure that no Nigerian generation inherits a library weakened by neglect, but rather a National Library strengthened by collective ownership, innovation and sustained investment,” Prof. Anunobi said.
Representing the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, the Special Adviser on Monitoring and Evaluation, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor, advocated for the rapid digital transformation of the nation’s library infrastructure to meet AI-driven demands.
Highlighting Abia State’s commitment of 20 per cent of its annual budget to education since 2023, Okoroafor stressed that physical development must be complemented by intellectual growth.
“Roads and power will remain essential, but the ultimate strength of our country will depend on the quality of minds we develop, the knowledge we preserve and the opportunities we create for every child to learn,” he stated.
Adding a strong private-sector perspective, the Chief Launcher and Chairman/CEO of Synergy Infrastructure Development and Investment Limited, Alhaji Alhassan Amadu Dantata, made a case for urgent private-sector intervention to complete the National Library Headquarters.
Reflecting on his eight years of advocacy for the institution, Dantata described the National Library as the most neglected agency under the Federal Ministry of Education. He noted that, as the library’s current landlord, he witnesses daily the operational challenges caused by inadequate infrastructure.
He highlighted the scale of the uncompleted headquarters—an eight-level concrete and steel structure spanning 80,000 square metres of floor area on a 10,000-square-metre footprint—which currently stands at only 40 per cent completion.
Dantata revealed that three years ago, he made an unsolicited private offer of N150 billion to complete the structure, but the Ministry of Education rejected the proposal in writing, stating that it was an ongoing project that required no external funding.
However, following renewed engagement with Prof. Anunobi, fresh discussions and presentations were held within 48 hours, paving the way for the current joint initiative to mobilise private capital.
Dantata commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for addressing the long-neglected project and acknowledged First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for launching an appeal fund for the library more than a year ago.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Hon. Dominic Okafor, member representing Aguata Federal Constituency and Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Delegated Legislation, who represented the Chairman of the House Committee on Library, Research and Documentation, pledged that lawmakers would push for a significantly increased budgetary allocation for the institution during the upcoming fiscal budget defence.
Okafor disclosed that the committee became fully aware of the library’s financial challenges during Public Accounts Committee sessions, where the institution’s meagre allocations were brought to light.
“It is opportune that this event is taking place as we prepare to commence the 2027 budget sessions.
“The House Committee on Library and Research Documentation will do everything possible to address these challenges.
“Having observed the meagre funding available to you during your appearance before the Public Accounts Committee, I will engage the committee chairman and the leadership of the 10th Assembly to ensure a significantly improved 2027 budget allocation,” Okafor stated.
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