The Network of Abuja Left Groups has called for an open and independent investigation into allegations of financial impropriety, procurement violations, contract inflation and alleged victimisation of workers and union activists at the National Library of Nigeria.
The group, in a statement issued on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, said it was expressing solidarity with members of the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI) and the Nigerian Union of Public Service Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processing and Allied Workers (NUPSRAW) at the National Library who have raised concerns about the administration of the institution, working conditions and the deterioration of its facilities.
The Network alleged that workers who have raised complaints against the administration have faced punitive postings, queries and other forms of victimisation.
It said the National Library, as 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.
According to the group, documents made available to it showed that workers’ representatives had previously submitted petitions to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) concerning alleged corruption, contract inflation and breaches of public procurement procedures at the institution.
The Network particularly referenced concerns surrounding the cost of preparing the National Library’s budgets.
The Guardian reported in January 2025 that its review of the National Library’s 2022 to 2024 budget documents showed allocations of N2 million in 2022, N4 million in 2023 and N7 million in 2024 for budget preparation and administration, amounting to N13 million. The newspaper also reported that the documents covered no more than three pages per year and that another N7 million was proposed for preparation of the 2026 budget.
The Network said the figures warranted public explanation and scrutiny, while stressing that allegations of wrongdoing should be properly investigated before any conclusions are reached.
It further alleged that some workers involved in previous complaints were subsequently subjected to postings and queries despite what the petitioners described as ongoing ICPC investigations.
According to the group, the affected workers had requested protection as petitioners and whistleblowers, as well as the withdrawal of what they regarded as punitive postings and other alleged acts of victimisation, but claimed that such protection was not provided.
The Network said that more than two years after the commencement of the ICPC investigations, the relevant authorities should publicly clarify the status of the petitions and investigations.
“At least some of the evidence has been made public,” the group said, arguing that allegations supported by documentary complaints should not simply disappear into bureaucratic files.
The group also raised concerns over the physical condition of National Library facilities and the preservation of books, documents and other archival materials.
It said the National Library was a public institution and not the private estate of any registrar, librarian, administrator or governing board, while specifically referring to the institution’s Director-General/National Librarian, Prof. Chinwe Veronica Anunobi.
The Network argued that the situation involved two connected issues: accountability for public resources and the right of workers to organise, petition, expose alleged wrongdoing and demand better administration without retaliation.
It said the National Library’s responsibilities made the matter particularly important because the institution is entrusted with preserving Nigeria’s documentary heritage for present and future generations.
The Network said it would stand with the affected workers in their demands for accountability, justice and protection from alleged victimisation.
It also expressed support for the workers’ right to engage relevant authorities and organise peaceful and lawful protests, stressing that public institutions could not be reformed by demanding silence from the people who work inside them.
The group subsequently called for an independent and transparent investigation into the allegations of financial impropriety, procurement violations, contract inflation and other irregularities raised by workers at the National Library.
It demanded that the ICPC and other relevant accountability institutions publicly clarify the status of petitions previously submitted to them and, where investigations remain ongoing, ensure that they are concluded without political or bureaucratic interference.
The Network also called for an immediate halt to all alleged acts of victimisation against workers and union officials who have participated in lawful petitions, investigations or trade-union activities.
It demanded a review of punitive postings, queries and disciplinary actions allegedly connected to the workers’ whistleblowing activities pending an independent determination of the facts.
The group further called for protection for whistleblowers and petitioners, insisting that workers should not be forced to choose between their jobs and their rights to report suspected wrongdoing.
It demanded a transparent audit of major contracts and expenditures of the National Library, particularly contracts and projects that workers had specifically brought to the attention of investigative authorities.
The Network also called for an independent assessment of the physical condition of National Library facilities and its archival collections, with urgent intervention where books, documents and other national heritage materials may be at risk.
It urged the Federal Ministry of Education to intervene, arguing that the allegations should not be treated merely as an internal administrative matter because they concern public funds, workers’ rights and the preservation of Nigeria’s documentary heritage.
The group also called on the Federal Government to ensure that the governance of the National Library is subject to public accountability, including transparent reporting of budgets, procurement, expenditure and institutional performance.
The statement was signed by Omole Ibukun of the Creative Change Centre, Adaramoye Michael Lenin of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Akande Daniel of The Anti-Imperialist, Nigeria, Salako Kayode of the Save Public Education Campaign (SPEC), and Abdullahi Bilal of the Solidarity Network for Workers’ Rights (SNWR).
The groups said they would continue to support the affected workers and press the relevant authorities for answers, insisting that allegations involving public funds, workers’ rights and the preservation of Nigeria’s documentary heritage should not be allowed to remain unresolved.
They warned that accountability at the National Library must extend beyond investigations on paper, stressing that workers who raise concerns about alleged wrongdoing should be protected rather than subjected to retaliation.
The Network said the demand for transparency was ultimately about protecting a public institution entrusted with preserving the country’s collective memory, adding that public money and public institutions must remain subject to public scrutiny.