President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has withheld his assent to the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (Establishment) Amendment Bill, 2025. He explained that the bill contradicts existing federal laws and policies.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tinubu acknowledged the bill’s intentions but said some provisions could create serious problems for governance.
According to the President, the bill proposes funding systems that would conflict with how federal agencies under the National Assembly are usually financed.
It also touches on taxation of national entities, civil service pay structures, and service age limits. He warned that passing such a bill would go against established rules and could weaken the government’s overall policy direction.
“Notwithstanding the laudable objectives of the legislation, certain provisions contained therein go against the settled law and policies of the federal government of Nigeria as it relates to funding of agencies under the National Assembly, taxation of national entities, public service remuneration, as well as age and year of service, among others,” Tinubu wrote in the letter.
He said that giving legal backing to these provisions would introduce an “unsustainable precedent against the public interest.”
President Wants Lawmakers to Amend the Controversial Clauses
President Tinubu advised the House to revisit and adjust the parts of the bill that clash with federal governance principles.
He explained that signing the bill in its present form would send the wrong message about fiscal discipline and administrative control in the public sector.
In the letter, the President added, “I hope that the House of Representatives will take necessary steps to fix the identified issues with the legislation.”
The bill was intended to reform how the National Assembly’s library system operates. Lawmakers had proposed it to strengthen access to information and improve research capacity for legislative work.
Among other goals, the amendment seeks to improve funding and institutional support for the library system serving both chambers of the legislature.
However, Tinubu’s decision not to sign the bill sends a strong message about the importance of aligning new laws with existing fiscal and governance frameworks. His administration has repeatedly stated its intention to avoid duplication of agencies, streamline public spending, and maintain a clear separation between legislative proposals and executive policy standards.
The House is now expected to review the legislation and possibly rework the areas flagged by the President.
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