Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has criticized First Lady Oluremi Tinubu over her birthday request that Nigerians donate money to complete the long-abandoned National Library in Abuja. Obi described the appeal as a reflection of misplaced priorities in a country where leaders spend lavishly on luxury while essential institutions remain neglected.
In a post on his X handle, Obi congratulated Mrs. Tinubu on her birthday, wishing her good health and happiness. But he said it was troubling that such a symbolic occasion was turned into a fundraising drive for a national project that should have been fully funded and completed by the government years ago.
Obi stressed that it is a shame for Africa’s most populous nation to rely on donations for a critical facility that serves as the backbone of education and intellectual development. He questioned why leaders continue to fly private jets, maintain opulent residences, and indulge in wasteful spending while libraries, schools, and hospitals are left in decay.
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According to Obi, the irony of asking for contributions to build a national library while billions are squandered on extravagance shows how little value is placed on education. He said nations that take their future seriously see libraries as treasures of knowledge, not birthday favors or charity projects.
He warned that Nigeria’s future will remain bleak if education is not treated as the foundation of progress. “The way a nation spends its money defines its destiny,” Obi declared, insisting that without urgent investment in schools and libraries, Nigeria risks permanent stagnation.
Obi’s remarks have ignited strong reactions across social media, with many Nigerians echoing his concerns about leadership, corruption, and the declining value placed on education.
