President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declined to sign the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (Establishment) Amendment Bill, 2025 into law, citing constitutional violations, financial implications, and potential policy conflicts.
In a formal letter addressed to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and read during Tuesday’s plenary, President Tinubu acknowledged the bill’s intent to strengthen legislative research infrastructure but warned that several of its provisions pose serious risks to governance and fiscal stability.
“While the bill seeks to achieve commendable goals, some of its provisions are inconsistent with existing laws and federal government policies,” the President stated.
Among his key concerns were the proposed funding model for institutions tied to the National Assembly, taxation of federal bodies, discrepancies in public sector remuneration, and contentious clauses on age and tenure limits.
Tinubu stressed that passing the bill in its current form could create “an unsustainable precedent” and open the door to wider challenges in institutional governance and fiscal discipline.
Although the President’s letter did not spell out specific sections of the bill deemed problematic, he made it clear that implementation would conflict with established legal and budgetary frameworks.
He urged the National Assembly to revisit and revise the bill to ensure alignment with Nigeria’s Constitution and financial guidelines.
“I trust that the House will consider the observations raised and take appropriate action to address them,” Tinubu added.
The amendment sought to update the National Assembly Library Trust Fund Act by expanding its scope and revising its funding structure. With the President’s refusal, the bill will now return to the legislature for possible revision or an override attempt though a two-thirds majority in both chambers would be required to pass it without presidential assent.
