President Bola Tinubu has withheld assent to two bills recently passed by the National Assembly, citing several fundamental flaws in their provisions.
They are the Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology (Amendment) Bill and the National Library Trust Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2025.
President Tinubu conveyed his decision in two separate letters read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, during plenary on Tuesday.
Tinubu expressed concerns over a clause in the Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology (Amendment) Bill authorising the institute to collect 1% of all import and export freight levies-a measure the President described as unfair to businesses, and incompatible with the federal government’s tax policy.
The President also said the provision in the bill, authorising the institute to borrow up to ?50 million without presidential approval and to invest public funds, even though the agency is not designed to generate revenue, violates existing fiscal discipline framework and could lead to serious financial mismanagement. He said, ‘Such clauses pose serious fiscal and governance challenges and, if allowed, would set a dangerous precedent.’
The President also withheld assent to the National Library Trust Fund (Establishment) Bill 2025, citing conflicts with existing laws and policies.
The president said the proposed legislation contradicted core government policies related to the funding of public agencies, taxation, public service remuneration, age and tenure limits for public servants.
He argued that assenting to the bill as transmitted could create an ‘unsustainable precedent’ against the public interest. ‘I hope that the Senate will take the necessary steps to fix the identified issues with this legislation,’ Tinubu said.
After reading the letter, Akpabio said, ‘This is a demonstration of the President’s steady hands and attention to detail. It now falls on us to re-examine the bills and ensure they are in line with national policy and fiscal responsibility.’
Akpabio referred the two bills to relevant Senate Committees for further legislative action.