The National Library of Nigeria (NLN) is on the brink of eviction over an astounding ₦447,424,760.91 in unpaid rent, highlighting what many are calling a national embarrassment and a stark symbol of neglect for the country’s intellectual infrastructure.
The library, originally relocated from Lagos to Abuja in 1995, has operated from a rented building at Plot 274, Sanusi Dantata House, Central Business District, Abuja, for nearly three decades.
Despite its role as the custodian of Nigeria’s literary and cultural heritage, the institution has failed to secure a permanent home, forcing it to rely on leased premises.
It was gathered that the building, formerly owned by Asada Group Ltd, had previously issued a demand notice for outstanding rent, which went unpaid. When the property was sold to a new landlord, the library was granted a two-year lease starting 31 March 2025 as an act of goodwill. However, to date, no payment has been made under this new lease.
“The National Library, rather than being a proud symbol of national identity and intellectual advancement, is now facing eviction like any other delinquent tenant,” said a concerned observer familiar with the matter.
The new landlord has now served a quit notice and a seven-day statutory notice of intention to recover possession, putting the future of the institution at immediate risk.
Observers say the situation underscores a wider issue of misplaced national priorities. While Nigeria continues to allocate vast sums to political functions, recurrent expenditures, and incomplete projects, critical institutions like the National Library struggle to meet basic operational obligations.
The plight of the library is further compounded by the long-abandoned permanent National Library building in Abuja, a project that has remained unfinished for decades despite repeated government promises.
Without urgent intervention from the Federal Government, Nigerians may soon witness the National Library, a vault of the country’s books, records, and cultural treasures, locked up over unpaid rent, a move that would spark national and international ridicul