Nigeria’s First lady seeks partnerships to digitize Nigeria’s heritage and boost education after Qatar library tour

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has expressed optimism the ongoing National Library of Nigeria project, when completed, will stand as a modern, fully digitised national pride serving as a hub for knowledge development and a repository of the nation’s rich historical and cultural heritage.

The First Lady stated this in Doha during a facility tour of the Qatar National Library, which she described as a worthy model and inspiration for Nigeria’s vision of an inclusive, technology-driven knowledge institution.

Tinubu observed that Nigeria, with its deep cultural diversity and robust heritage, must develop a system for proper documentation of its history for posterity.

“Our youth must have a referral point to know more about the nation,” she said, emphasising the need for libraries to function as custodians of identity and instruments of intellectual empowerment.

She commended the motto of the Qatar National Library “Free Access to Knowledge” describing it as a guiding principle that aligns with the Renewed Hope vision of fostering education and knowledge equity in Nigeria.

Home to over two million physical books and about 500,000 e-books, the Qatar National Library, located in Education City, Doha, is globally recognized as a monument of cultural preservation and innovation.

The visit marks the First Lady’s first official engagement upon her arrival in Qatar.

According to her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, the library tour served as a prelude to her forthcoming engagement with the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.

Tinubu’s discussions with the Foundation are expected to explore partnerships aimed at addressing Nigeria’s education challenges, particularly the issues of out-of-school children and the Almajiri education system, through sustainable, community-based initiatives.

Source: The Nation