CSOs demand probe into National Library’s budget irregularities

A coalition of civil society organisations, under the Network of Abuja Left Groups, has called for an independent investigation into alleged financial and procurement irregularities at the National Library of Nigeria, including the reported expenditure of N13 million on budget preparation and administration between 2022 and 2024.

The groups also demanded protection for workers and union activists who they alleged had suffered queries, postings and other forms of victimisation after raising concerns and petitioning relevant authorities over the administration of the institution.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the Network said the National Library, being a public institution responsible for preserving Nigeria’s intellectual and documentary heritage, must be subjected to the highest standards of transparency, accountability and public scrutiny.

The group specifically cited a January 2025 report by The Guardian, which found that N2 million, N4 million and N7 million were allocated respectively for budget preparation and administration in the National Library’s 2022, 2023 and 2024 budgets, totalling N13 million.

The newspaper had also reported that the budget documents covered no more than three pages per year, while another N7 million was proposed for the preparation of the 2026 budget.

The Network said the figures warranted public explanation, particularly against the backdrop of concerns raised by workers about the management of the institution.

It stated: “These figures obviously deserve public explanation and scrutiny. It is therefore deeply troubling if, at the same time that questions about public expenditure remain unanswered, workers who demand accountability are allegedly being punished for speaking out.”

The groups further alleged that workers’ representatives had previously submitted petitions to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged corruption, contract inflation and breaches of public procurement procedures at the National Library.

They said some of the workers who participated in the complaints were subsequently subjected to what they described as punitive postings, queries and other acts of victimisation.

According to the Network, the affected workers had sought protection as petitioners and whistleblowers and demanded the withdrawal of the alleged punitive measures.

“After over two years since the start of the ICPC investigations, our Network insists that allegations supported by documentary complaints simply disappear into bureaucratic files, and whistleblowers who have provided concrete evidence deserve protection,” it said.

The call comes against the backdrop of a 2025 report that the ICPC was investigating the National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library, Prof. Chinwe Veronica Anunobi, following a 2023 petition by workers alleging procurement breaches, contract inflation, abuse of office and other irregularities.

The ICPC subsequently confirmed that the matter had been returned for reinvestigation in 2025. The commission also indicated that cases involving four alleged victims of harassment had been communicated to the Federal Ministry of Education for possible protection of the whistleblowers.

However, the National Library had denied allegations of procurement fraud, employment racketeering and victimisation, describing them as a smear campaign by disgruntled individuals seeking to discredit its leadership.

The Network nevertheless demanded that the ICPC and other relevant accountability institutions publicly clarify the status of petitions previously submitted to them and ensure that any outstanding investigations are concluded without interference.

It also called for an immediate halt to all alleged acts of victimisation against workers and union officials who participated in lawful petitions, investigations or trade union activities.

The groups demanded a review of punitive postings, queries and disciplinary actions allegedly connected to the workers’ whistleblowing activities, pending an independent determination of the facts.

They further called for protection for whistleblowers and petitioners, arguing that workers should not be forced to choose between their jobs and their rights to report suspected wrongdoing.

The Network also demanded a transparent audit of major contracts and expenditures of the National Library, particularly projects and transactions that workers had brought to the attention of investigative authorities.

Beyond the financial allegations, the groups expressed concern over the condition of facilities and archival materials at the National Library, urging an independent assessment of the institution’s physical infrastructure and collections.

It said urgent intervention should be taken where books, documents and other national heritage materials were found to be at risk.

The Network urged the Federal Ministry of Education to intervene, arguing that the matter could no longer be treated simply as an internal administrative issue because it involved public funds, workers’ rights and the preservation of Nigeria’s documentary heritage.

It also called on the Federal Government to ensure greater transparency in the governance of the National Library through public reporting of its budgets, procurement, expenditure and institutional performance.

The groups said the National Library “is not the private estate of any registrar, librarian, administrator or governing board,” insisting that it is a public institution established to preserve knowledge for present and future generations.

“The National Library preserves the memory of Nigeria. It must not become a place where evidence of wrongdoing is buried. Public money belongs to the people. Public institutions belong to the people, and workers who defend those institutions must not be punished for doing so,” the Network said.

The statement was signed by Omole Ibukun of the Creative Change Centre, Adaramoye Michael Lenin of the Education Rights Campaign, Akande Daniel of The Anti-Imperialist, Nigeria, Salako Kayode of the Save Public Education Campaign, Abdullahi Bilal of the Solidarity Network for Workers’ Rights and Hauwa Mustapha.