First Lady Taken To Court Over Library Donations

A lawsuit has been filed against First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, President Bola Tinubu, and other top officials over funds raised for the abandoned National Library headquarters in Abuja.

The case was instituted by Ayodele Ademiluyi, convener of the Ife Book and Arts Festival and curator of the Booksfeast Collective, following donations made during the First Lady’s 65th birthday celebration.

The controversy began when Mrs Tinubu asked Nigerians to contribute to the completion of the library instead of sending cakes or flowers as gifts. She promoted the initiative through a video released by her spokesperson and shared widely on social media. While supporters hailed the appeal as noble, critics condemned it, arguing that government was shifting its responsibility to citizens despite years of failed promises on the project.

Ademiluyi took the matter before the Federal High Court in Lagos under suit number FHC/L/CS/1900/25. Those joined in the case include the President, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Minister of Education Tunji Alausa, the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Librarian, the National Library Board, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Zenith Bank, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The activist is seeking an order compelling the EFCC to probe the Zenith Bank account provided for the fundraiser. He also wants the First Lady and the bank to declare the total donations received and show how the funds are being managed.

Mrs Tinubu recently announced that the campaign had attracted over N20 billion. Ademiluyi is asking the court to compel President Tinubu to allocate at least 26 percent of the 2026 budget to education, in line with UNESCO recommendations, with a share directed to the National Book Development Centre under the NERDC.

As of now, no judge has been assigned to the case and a hearing date is yet to be fixed.