Following four decades of broken promises, the Federal Government appears to be adopting a phased approach to finally complete the long-abandoned National Library project. Designed in 1981, construction started in 2006 during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the tune of N8.9bn with an initial completion period of 22 months. However, work stopped in 2012.

Specifically, it will resume work on the 19-year-old abandoned National Library from June this year with the aim of completing Basement Levels One and Two, ground floor, first, second floors as well as external works.

Galaxy Television reports that the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa,  ga e the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja during a tour of the edifice in company with the National Librarian, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi, some senior directors of the Federal Ministry of Education and team of consultants.

Speaking after inspecting the project, Alausa said the Tinubu administration has the political will to complete the project. He, however, did not give a specific timeline on when the first phase will be completed.

According to him, although the Ministry is still awaiting the consultants’ cost estimate, the Minister acknowledged that completing the national monument would likely require an enormous investment running into hundreds of billions. He also disclosed that the President has instructed the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to release funds for completion of the project.