Ayodele Ademiluyi, the convener of the Ife Book and Arts Festival and curator of the Booksfeast Collective, has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, and several other senior government officials.
The suit concerns the funds raised during the First Lady’s 65th birthday celebration for the completion of the abandoned National Library headquarters in Abuja.
The controversy began when the First Lady appealed to Nigerians to contribute to the project, describing such donations as the “best birthday gift” she could receive.
In a video, she urged well-wishers to support a special “Education Fund” instead of sending gifts.
Read Also: Former Nasarawa Deputy Governor Is Dead
The appeal immediately drew backlash from many Nigerians who accused the government of “shifting its constitutional responsibility to citizens.”
Critics argued that the request was an admission of failure by successive administrations, including the Tinubu government.
The First Lady announced on Tuesday that she has received over N20 billion donations for the project.
Ademiluyi filed the suit on behalf of himself and the Booksfeast Collective.
Respondents in the case include President Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Dr. Tunji Alausa (Minister of Education), the Federal Ministry of Education, Chinwe Veronica (National Librarian), the Board of the National Library of Nigeria, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Zenith Bank Plc, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Among the reliefs sought, Ademiluyi is seeking an order that would compel the EFCC to investigate the Zenith Bank account allegedly used to collect the donations.
He also wants Mrs. Tinubu and Zenith Bank to disclose to the court how much has been received so far and provide a full account of how the funds have been utilised.
Additionally, the activist requested that the court order President Tinubu to allocate at least 26 per cent of the 2026 federal budget to education, in line with a UNESCO recommendation.
He further demanded that a substantial portion be directed to the National Book Development Centre under the NERDC.
As of press time, no judge has been assigned to the case and no date has been set for a hearing.
Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2
To Publish Articles, News, Place Advert, Contact Informant Online With Email Link Below: informantonline.com.ng@gmail.com
