N20bn Library Fundraiser Not for 2027 – Remi Tinubu

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has dismissed suggestions that her 65th birthday fundraiser is politically motivated or tied to her husband’s potential 2027 re-election bid.

Speaking with State House Correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday, Mrs Tinubu explained that the initiative is aimed at raising funds for the construction of a new National Library complex, not politics.

“Let me at this point correct a notion moving around about this fundraising. It is not connected to anything political. So far, we have raised N20.4bn since this fund launched last week, and more are still coming,” she said.

The First Lady highlighted her history of philanthropy and previous fundraisers:

At 45, she raised N50m for the National Sickle Cell Foundation Centre.

At 50, she raised N200m for the New Era Foundation.

“This is not the first time I have raised funds for causes close to my heart,” she stressed.

Her comments followed criticism from Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who argued that Nigeria should not depend on birthday donations to complete its National Library.

Responding, Mrs Tinubu insisted that collective responsibility is key to nation-building. “Helping to rebuild does not have a political undertone — it’s our duty as citizens to contribute meaningfully to society. I even donated to post-war rebuilding of schools in Liberia,” she said.

Quoting former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, she urged Nigerians to focus on unity and service:

> “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

She added that her work is also inspired by Isaiah 58:6, a biblical passage on service and compassion.

The First Lady disclosed that the fundraising account will remain open until December 2025, with the Minister of Education and the Chief Librarian of the Federation as signatories, while her role is only to help drive donations.

Ahead of her birthday on September 21, Mrs Tinubu announced the project to complete the country’s long-delayed National Library, which has been stalled for years.