Human rights lawyer Ayodele Ademiluyi has filed a petition at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to compel Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, to disclose how donations raised for the National Library project will be utilised.
The suit names several respondents, including President Bola Tinubu, Minister of Education Tunji Alausa, the National Librarian and CEO of the National Library of Nigeria Chinwe Veronica, the National Library Board, the Nigerian Educational Research Development Council, Zenith Bank PLC, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
On 1 September, the First Lady announced plans to dedicate her 65th birthday—celebrated on 21 September—to completing the National Library project. She appealed to friends and supporters to contribute funds to an account held at Zenith Bank under the “Oluremi at 65 Education Fund,” coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Education.
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At a lunch with State House Correspondents, the First Lady disclosed that over ₦20.4 billion had been raised for the project’s completion.
In the suit, filed under number FHC/L/CS/1900/25, Ademiluyi requests a court order of mandamus compelling the EFCC to investigate the account used for the project funds.
Additionally, the suit seeks to compel President Tinubu to allocate at least 26 percent of the 2026 budget to the Federal Ministry of Education and a substantial portion to the National Book Development Centre within the Nigerian Educational Research Development Council.
The petition highlights concerns about transparency and accountability in managing the significant funds raised for the National Library’s completion. The court proceedings are expected to shed light on the fund’s utilisation and broader educational funding commitments.
