Peter Obi Slams Remi Tinubu Over Birthday Library Appeal: “Nigeria Is in Trouble”
Story: written by Zara September 22,2025
Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has criticized First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s unusual birthday request, describing it as a troubling reflection of Nigeria’s priorities.
The First Lady, during her recent birthday celebration, urged friends and well-wishers to forgo gifts and congratulatory newspaper adverts, asking instead that such gestures be directed toward the completion of the long-abandoned National Library in Abuja.
Reacting on his X (formerly Twitter) handle in a post titled “We Are Finished,” Obi said while the request appeared noble on the surface, it underscored the government’s failure to fulfill its basic responsibilities.
According to him, a country like Nigeria should not depend on birthday donations to complete a national project of such importance. He lamented that while billions are frequently spent on private jets, luxury mansions, foreign trips, and yachts, critical infrastructure like the National Library is left to rot.
Obi, who wished Mrs. Tinubu long life and good health, stressed that the irony of her appeal exposed a deeper tragedy: leaders who know education is the foundation of progress but still prioritize extravagance.
He recalled that during his tenure as governor, he encouraged redirection of funds from newspaper adverts into meaningful projects like classrooms and computers, but never as a substitute for government’s duty.
“What kind of nation waits for charity to build the temple of knowledge? Serious countries treat libraries as sacred spaces for nurturing minds, yet here we reduce them to birthday donations,” Obi wrote.
He concluded that Nigeria’s revival would not come from luxury spending but from investments in education and intellectual growth. “Until that day arrives, the truth remains—we are finished,” Obi added.
