President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally declined assent to the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (Establishment) Amendment Bill, 2025, citing constitutional inconsistencies, fiscal risks, and policy conflicts.
The President’s position was conveyed in a letter read on the floor of the House of Representatives on Tuesday by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The Bill, passed earlier this year, seeks to transform the existing Library Trust Fund into the National Assembly Resource Centre. However, President Tinubu expressed concerns that some of the provisions in the proposed legislation could undermine existing governance systems and create “unsustainable legal precedents.”
“While the Bill pursues commendable objectives, some of its provisions are inconsistent with established laws and policies of the Federal Government of Nigeria,” the President wrote.
Areas of Concern
Among the highlighted issues, Tinubu objected to:
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The proposed funding structure for National Assembly institutions
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Provisions related to taxation of federal entities
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Clauses affecting remuneration policies in the public service
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Conditions around age limits and years of service
He warned that, in its current form, the legislation could introduce “legal and fiscal challenges” that may have broader repercussions across the public sector.
“If the Bill is allowed to become law in its present state, it could create an unsustainable precedent that may prove detrimental to the broader interest of the Nigerian public,” Tinubu emphasized.
Although the President acknowledged the noble intentions behind the amendment, he urged lawmakers to revisit and revise the draft to ensure its alignment with constitutional frameworks and federal policy objectives.
Way Forward
President Tinubu called on the House of Representatives to take “appropriate steps” to address the identified issues, signaling his willingness to support a revised version of the Bill that adheres to national standards and fiscal responsibility.
The rejection comes amid broader conversations around institutional efficiency and the cost of governance, as Nigeria grapples with economic reform and public sector accountability.
