Nigeria’s former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), on Thursday officially launched the country’s second presidential library ”The IBB Presidential Library” during the public presentation of his memoir, A Journey in Service, in Abuja.
The high-profile event, held at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton, not only unveiled Babangida’s long-awaited autobiography but also served as a significant fundraising platform for the library project. By the end of the evening, an estimated N17.5 billion had been pledged, with N11.5 billion set to be redeemed immediately by some of Nigeria’s most influential business and political figures.
Leading the list of donors was billionaire industrialist Abdul Samad Rabiu, who committed N5 billion, the largest single donation of the night. He was followed by General TY Danjuma (rtd.), who pledged N3billion, while Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, contributed N2 billion, with an additional commitment to donate N2 billion annually over the next three years, bringing his total contribution to N8billion. Billionaire businessman Prince Arthur Eze also supported the project with N500 million.
Other key pledges included:
Senate President Godswill Akpabio N50 million
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau N20 million
Mustapha Chike Obi & Fidelity Bank N100 million and N50 million, respectively.
In his remarks, General Babangida expressed deep appreciation for the generosity of the donors, singling out Abdul Samad Rabiu for special recognition. Referring to him as his son, Babangida noted that Rabiu had been a consistent supporter of the library project from its inception.
“The commitment and consistency of Abdul Samad Rabiu have been instrumental in bringing this vision closer to reality,” Babangida remarked.
The IBB Presidential Library is envisioned as a national institution dedicated to preserving Nigeria’s political, military, and leadership history, particularly during Babangida’s tenure. It follows the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, which was the first of its kind in Nigeria.
The event was chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, while former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo delivered the keynote address. The gathering brought together some of Africa’s most notable statesmen, including:
Former Nigerian leaders: General Yakubu Gowon, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (accompanied by his wife), and former President Goodluck Jonathan
Former Sierra Leonean President: Ernest Bai Koroma
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who emphasized the importance of documenting Nigeria’s leadership journey and acknowledged IBB’s impact on Nigeria’s history
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who provided a detailed review of Babangida’s book, offering insights into his time in power, including the controversial June 12, 1993 election annulment
Former President Muhammadu Buhari and General TY Danjuma were represented by senior aides.
Beyond the impressive fundraising total, the night highlighted Abdul Samad Rabiu’s role as a key supporter of historical preservation in Nigeria. His Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) has committed over $300 million to critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and social development across Africa.
Reflecting on his donation, Rabiu stated:
“Leadership is not only about the present; it is about the legacy we build and the history we preserve. Supporting this library is an investment in Nigeria’s history and future generations.”
As the evening concluded, it was clear that beyond the billions pledged, the event had solidified Rabiu’s influence not just as a donor, but as a custodian of Nigeria’s history, helping to preserve the nation’s leadership heritage for generations to come.
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