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The Senate on Tuesday considered a bill seeking to amend the Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act to impose penalties on Nigerians convicted of crimes abroad, including the withdrawal of their international passports for a minimum of 10 years.

The bill, sponsored by Abubakar Bello (Niger North), aims to redeem Nigeria’s image in the international community and curb criminal activities by citizens in foreign countries, which lawmakers said had led to widespread profiling and visa denials against Nigerians.

Leading debate on the bill on behalf of the sponsor, Onawo Ogwoshi, said the proposed amendment was ‘imperative and compelling’ as it would ‘serve as a strong deterrent’ against crimes committed by Nigerians in foreign jurisdictions, which have ‘dealt a crashing blow to the nation’s reputation.’

He noted that countries such as China, Turkey, Canada, Germany, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates had imposed stringent visa restrictions on Nigerians due to repeated reports of crimes and convictions involving holders of Nigerian passports.

He said, ‘Innocent and patriotic Nigerians suffer harassment in international transits, visa denials, and discrimination because of the actions of a few.

‘The green passport, once a symbol of pride, is now widely discountenanced. That is nothing less than a state of emergency.

‘If this law passes, it will send a message not just to criminals, but to foreign jurisdictions: Nigeria is serious about upholding the rule of law at home and abroad.’

The bill proposes that any Nigerian convicted of a crime in a foreign country would have their passport withdrawn for ten years after serving their sentence.

The measure, he explained, would ‘redeem, preserve, and elevate the image and integrity of our dear country.’

Tahir Monguno ( Senator, Borno North) described the proposal as ‘apt and germane,’ saying it could not have come at a better time given the global profiling and visa denials faced by Nigerians.

‘This bill will not only punish those who bring shame upon Nigeria abroad, but will also act as a powerful deterrent, letting Nigerians everywhere know that crime across borders has consequences.’

He lamented that many innocent Nigerians were suffering reputational damage due to the criminal actions of a few citizens abroad.

Supporting the bill, Senator Babangida Hussaini (Jigawa Northwest) called for tighter control over passport issuance to prevent non-Nigerians from fraudulently obtaining Nigerian passports.

‘Nigerians of all shades and colours are being disrespected in foreign lands because of the ease of acquiring Nigerian passports.

‘In some cases, crimes committed by foreigners are attributed to Nigerians simply because they carry our passport.

‘We must reclaim the dignity of the green passport. When non-Nigerians use it to commit crimes, and Nigerians are profiled for it, that is an injustice to our people.’

Senate President Godswill Akpabio also threw his weight behind the bill, describing it as ‘a bold step to preserve the dignity and integrity of Nigerians.’

He recalled a case in Dubai where a group of black men committed robbery using Nigerian passports but were later discovered not to be Nigerians.

‘This bill will help tighten the process of passport issuance and ensure that those who mess up the country’s image abroad face the consequences.

‘Any Nigerian who tarnishes our image should not only face imprisonment abroad but also lose their passport for at least 10 years,’ Akpabio said.

The bill, which enjoyed unanimous support on the floor, was referred to the Senate Committee on Interior for further legislative work and public hearing.

If passed, the law will make Nigeria one of the few African countries with domestic legislation sanctioning citizens convicted of crimes in foreign jurisdictions, as part of efforts to restore global respect for the Nigerian passport.

‘I applauded this bill when I first read it, because it speaks to preserving the integrity and international reputation of our nation’

Akpabio reiterated, ‘So as this bill, when it goes through public hearing and all, and comes back to us, and we send it to Mr. President for assent, and the concurrence of our colleague in the House of Representatives who helped to cope such incidents, who tightened the ways and manner in which Nigerian passports circulate in the hands of foreigners, and also where a Nigerian goes to mess up the image of the country, such a Nigerian should not just go to prison and be deported to Nigeria.

‘Such a person should actually lose an international passport for at least 10 years, or 10 to 20 years, to serve as a deterrent.’

The three first-class graduates from the inaugural Open, Distance, and e-Learning (ODeL) programmes of the University of Ibadan will share their expertise at this year’s matriculation lectures of the ODeL.

Babatunde Omobowale,professor and Director of UI DLC disclosed who this in a statement said the addresses will be delivered by the distinguished alumni who achieved First-Class degree in Computer Science, Psychology and Political Science via the UI-ODeL mode.

The graduands -Olalekan Akolade Abass (Computer Science) will offer firsthand insights into mastering the flexible learning environment; he will be joined by Akindubi Jelili Babatunde (Psychology) who will explore models for achieving academic excellence at UI; and finally Okoye Mark (Political Science) will discuss the unique opportunities for UI-ODeL students and graduates’.

While saying that the matriculation for the new intake would hold on Saturday, 30th of October, 2025 at UI International Conference Centre (ICC) noted that the event is a compulsory, landmark ceremony that formally inducts new students into the prestigious University of Ibadan.

UI-ODeL model provides flexible pathway to a reputable University of Ibadan degree, an opportunity for special admission window.

The institution who urged all candidates currently undergoing screening or planning to apply directly to complete all requirements before the deadline, said ODeL undergraduate programmes will close by midnight of Friday, October 10, 2025.

Omobowale stated that this provides an opportunity for qualified candidates whose placement is restricted by JAMB/UTME limits related to traditional classroom settings.

It also serves those who need flexible study arrangements due to work or personal reasons, or those looking for a reputable, alternative pathway.

‘The centre welcomes applicants with five relevant O’ Level credits in one sitting or six in two sittings to apply to programmes including: Sciences: Computer Science, Statistics; Social Sciences: Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science; Humanities and Education: Philosophy and Public Affairs, Communication and Language Arts, English, Social Work, Educational Management, Guidance and Counselling, and Library and Information Studies.

Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) has set an ambitious target to generate ?15 billion in monthly revenue starting in 2026. The projection is part of Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) capacity.

Mohammed Abba Aliyu, executive director, compliance and enforcement of KIRS, made this disclosure, during a two-day multisector stakeholders’ engagement, currently holding in the commercial city of Kano.

The new IGR target is coming against the backdrop of the recent information issued by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) which indicates that Kano State doubled its IGR in the 2024 financial circle.

According to NBS, the state is said to have doubled its total IGR collection in the outgone year, to N74.77 billion, which represents a 100 percent increase, as against the N37.39 billion collected in the 2023 financial year.

Addressing participants at the stakeholders’ engagement organised by the agency in collaboration with Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE), Mohammed said that the projection is anchored in a new tax framework being implemented in the state that is structured on fairness and efficiency.

He said under the revised system that is expected to become operational in 2026, only individuals earning above N800,000 per year will be taxed on the surplus, as a way of ensuring that lower-income earners are shielded from undue financial pressure.

Mohammed clarified that the new tax structure being implemented in the state, rests on three key pillars: Income tax from employment or business activities, Service charges for accessing public amenities like education and Penalties for legal infractions.

He further clarified that the new approach to tax collection is designed to streamline revenue collection, while reinforcing the social contract between citizens and the state in the payment of tax.

Also, in his presentation, Alhassan Usman, PACE representative, emphasized the transformative power of digital tax systems, urging the residents of the state, to move away from cash-based interactions with revenue officers, and advocated for secure, traceable digital payments.

Usman disclosed that the new revenue policy of the state is geared at not only reducing corruption, but also to improve access to government grants and financial support for compliant individuals and businesses.

He noted that beyond revenue generation, the campaign embarked upon by the agency, seeks to educate citizens on the long-term benefits of tax compliance, and the need for accurate tax records keeping, charging tax payees to monitor their financial health and position themselves for growth opportunities in the new tax reform.

It would be recalled that Northern states have recorded low performance in IGR collection compared to other regions, with the North-West and North-East zones recording low figures in 2023.

Although some states like Kaduna, Bauchi, and lately Kano, have stepped up their performance in latest data released by NBS, within their zones. The total IGR collection among states in the North-West in 2023 is put at N206.23 billion, which was less than the total collection by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) alone, highlighting the lower overall revenue generating capacity of the region.

African start-ups raised $140 million in September, pushing the continent’s 2025 year-to-date funding total past an impressive $2.2 billion.

The latest figures from the monthly start-up deals database highlight a dynamic ecosystem, with 58 companies securing capital last month, marking the second-highest number of deals in a year, just behind July.

The $140 million raised in September, while slightly below the monthly average, aligns closely with the $146 million recorded in September 2024 and surpasses the $124 million from September 2023.

Equity investments dominated, accounting for $105 million (75 percent) of the total, with debt financing contributing $32 million and grants, including 16 match-funding awards from DEG Impulse’s develoPPP Ventures cohort in East Africa, adding $3 million.

Leading the charge were five major equity deals: Nigeria’s fintech Kredete secured a $22 million Series A, while Pura Beverage, a beverage company taking the venture capital route, closed a $15 million Series B.

South Africa’s Contractable (identity tech) raised $13.5 million, Egypt’s AI-driven Intella secured $12.5 million in a Series A, and South African edtech The Invigilator bagged $11 million.

These transactions underscore the diversity of sectors attracting investment, from fintech to AI and education.September also saw significant exit activity, with five start-ups acquired across the continent.

In South Africa, Twofold Capital acquired fintech TaxTim, edtech Rekindle bought EpiTek, and fintech Street Wallet snapped up Digitip. In North Africa, Morocco’s super app Ora Technologies acquired logistics start-up Cathedis, while Egypt’s healthtech Duaya took over EXMGO.

Zooming out, the third quarter of 2025 proved robust, with African start-ups raising $785 million, a notable increase from Q1’s $461 million, though slightly below Q2’s $963 million.

This Q3 figure outperforms the same period in 2024 ($649 million), 2023 ($496 million), and 2022 ($612 million), signaling sustained investor confidence.

With $2.2 billion raised in 2025 so far, the continent is just $40 million shy of matching the total funding for all of 2024.

As African start-ups continue to attract global attention, the September haul and strong Q3 performance highlight a maturing ecosystem poised for further growth, with 2025 on track to set new benchmarks for innovation and investment on the continent.

Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc (Eko DisCo) has registered Excel Electricity Distribution Limited as a wholly owned subsidiary to oversee its electricity distribution business within Lagos State.

According to the company, the move aligns with the requirements of the Electricity Act 2023, which transferred regulatory oversight of the electricity market to State Governments.

In a statement issued on Monday, Eko DisCo said the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) had directed the company to register a separate entity for its Lagos operations, in compliance with state electricity market regulations.

The company clarified that the new entity, Excel Electricity Distribution Limited, would operate under Eko DisCo’s oversight while remaining subject to regulation by LASERC and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

Eko DisCo emphasised that the restructuring does not amount to a sale or takeover, noting that it remains a legally recognised and operational entity under Nigerian law.

‘Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc has not been sold or taken over. There has been no sale, transfer of ownership, or dissolution of the company,’ the statement read.

The company further explained that Eko DisCo remains owned by West Power and Gas Limited (WPG), which retains a 60% stake, while the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) holds the remaining 40% on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Eko DisCo noted that the new subsidiary, Excel Electricity Distribution Limited, will continue electricity distribution activities previously handled by Eko DisCo, with no operational disruption to customers.

‘All customers of Excel Disco will continue to be served by the same personnel who served them in EKODISCO and should pay their bills in the same way. They will not notice any change as we transition the name from EKODISCO to Excel Disco,’ the company said.

The statement also confirmed that Eko DisCo had transmuted into a holding company as part of the transition, describing the change as a regulatory compliance measure that would not affect its operations in Lagos.

Eko DisCo reiterated its commitment to providing reliable, efficient, and sustainable power supply to customers, stressing that the development is a regulatory and structural transition, not a takeover or divestment.

President Bola Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Nnaji, minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations of certificate forgery against him.

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement, said Nnaji’s resignation was received by President Tinubu ‘ today in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria.’

Recall that President Tinubu had appointed Nnaji as a minister in August 2023.

Nnaji, in the letter of resignation, said ‘he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents.’

President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours.

Nnaji was alleged to have presented a certificate that claims he is a graduate of the University of Nigeria Nsukka.

The institution however couldn’t verify the claim, saying that it has no records that Nnaji actually graduated from the University.

Nnaji resignation makes him the second Minister in the two years old cabinet of President Tinubu, to have left under such circumstances.

Recall that Betta Edu, former minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation also left the cabinet unceremoniously, after she suspended by the President over allegations of diversion of public funds into private account.

Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, has said that Nigerians will start enjoying the benefits of the new tax laws beginning from January 2026.

Oyedele, who spoke at the ongoing Nigerian Economic Summit (NES31) in Abuja on Tuesday, said that about 98 per cent of Nigeria’s population will no longer pay the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax.

President Bola Tinubu, in June 2025, signed the four (4) Tax Reform Bills into law. These laws include the Nigeria Tax Act (NTA), the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA), the Nigeria Revenue Service Act (NRSA) and the Joint Revenue Board Act (JRBA).

The Acts comprehensively overhaul the Nigerian tax landscape to drive economic growth, increase revenue generation, improve the business environment and enhance effective tax administration across the different levels of government.

Oyedele emphasised that the new tax laws are not targeted at the low-income earners or those at the poverty line.

‘From January 2026, you will feel the impact. If you earn a salary, when you are paid your salary at the end of January 2026, for 97- 98 per cent of Nigerians, they will either no longer pay PAYE, or they’ll pay less PAYE.

‘That is about 33 percent of workers in the public and private sector combined, will no longer pay PAYE, because they will be exempted. The remaining 2 percent plus will pay more,’ he said.

He explained that the committee has established a poverty line, which can be determined through a household income and not individuals.

‘So if you look at the amount, you don’t know how many people depend on that amount. So we looked at the study that was done by the NBS, and the average household size in Nigeria is five. Based on the data on employment, gainfully employed people, you have a little over two out of the five who are employed.

‘We came up with a conclusion of between N100,000 and N120,000 a month. Two people would then earn around 230,000 to 240,000 to cater for five people so they don’t fall below the poverty line. Under the old laws, you earn 30,000 Naira a month, you’re paying tax. So this is significant improvement,’ he said.

Oyedele, speaking further, stressed that the laws are made to enhance businesses and reduce their risks. He also explained that the law, with the reduction in personal income tax to 25 percent, seeks to create incentives for business formalisation.

He said that the law also reduces the corporate tax rate from 30 to 25 per cent. He also stated that under the new law, if your annual turnover is 100 million Naira or less, as a company, your corporate tax rate is 0 per cent.

‘Low income, no tax. Upper income, a bit more. Now, in many countries around the world, what you will find is that the top rates for personal income tax is usually higher than the rate for corporate tax so that you can incentivise business formalisation.

‘So when you operate in the informal sector and you want to pay your taxes, your maximum income tax doesn’t even hit 20 percent. Same business, formalize it, register as a company, your tax burden goes to over 40 percent. And then we lament that the informal sector is too big. We were creating it, we created a disincentive to formalization. We are now trying to reverse it. It’s the reason why we have to take the top rates for personal income tax to 25 percent.’

Nigeria must address the challenges limiting agricultural productivity in the North in order to effectively combat hunger and avert a bigger humanitarian crisis, according to a joint report by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the African Development Bank.

Despite vast arable land, Northern Nigeria continues to face high food insecurity, soaring malnutrition rates, and the nation’s highest food inflation, challenges the report links to climate shocks, insecurity, and weak economic structures.

The joint assessment argues that scaling up agricultural investment in the North could be the game-changer needed to tackle Nigeria’s worsening humanitarian crisis and chronic hunger.

‘While humanitarian interventions such as food and cash assistance have helped meet urgent needs, they were not strategically designed to strengthen local food systems or support recovery,’ the report noted.

It stressed that linking food aid to local sourcing, storage, and processing would have amplified the economic impact within affected communities. ‘Tying cash transfers to local markets and smallholder farmers ensures money circulates within the region, empowering producers and boosting food supply,’ it added.

Currently, more than 31 million Nigerians face severe food insecurity, with about five million concentrated in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states. In the same region, nearly 2.3 million people remain displaced by conflict, according to WFP data.

Recent funding cuts by the United States have worsened the crisis, leaving thousands of families without food aid and exposing the fragility of Nigeria’s humanitarian response.

The report also revealed that previous assistance models often benefited markets outside the conflict zones. ‘Cash transfers and food purchases largely flowed to distant suppliers, bypassing local producers,’ it said. ‘This approach met immediate needs but failed to build resilience or stimulate regional food economies.’

Analysts say redirecting investment toward agro-processing, input supply, and logistics in the North would not only improve food availability in the country but also create jobs and reduce reliance on imports.

The report concludes that integrating humanitarian aid with agricultural investment offers Nigeria its best chance to curb hunger, rebuild livelihoods, and drive long-term food security.

Investment opportunities for stronger food systems

The report highlights two critical, high-impact investment opportunities to strengthen Northern Nigeria’s food system, while boosting food security in the country. They include improving on-farm storage to curb post-harvest losses and revitalising local milling capacity in Northern Nigeria to boost food security and stimulate regional trade.

These investment cases are presented as illustrative examples, designed to showcase the scale of opportunities and the potential returns from targeted agricultural investments. They are not prescriptive blueprints, but practical insights into how well-placed capital can address two of the region’s most pressing challenges: widespread post-harvest losses and limited wheat processing capacity.

By tackling these bottlenecks, the WFP suggests that investors and policymakers can unlock significant economic value, strengthen local supply chains, and lay the foundation for a more resilient and self-sustaining food system across the country.

Nigeria’s pathway to progress

To drive sustained growth and build stronger food systems, the report outlines five strategic pathways that guarantee growth and progress of Nigeria’s food systems. These include, aligning humanitarian response with local economies, investing in stability where it exists, building crisis-resilient food systems, embedding long-term thinking in humanitarian action, and applying lessons proactively.

The report stresses that humanitarian efforts must evolve beyond short-term relief to strengthen local systems and livelihoods.

‘A crisis response that builds local capacity, supports livelihoods, and aligns with long-term development goals is not just more effective – it is essential to breaking cycles of dependency,’ the report stated.

It further highlights that leveraging stable areas in Northern Nigeria for targeted agricultural and economic investments could unlock massive opportunities for recovery. These relatively secure zones, the report argues, can serve as anchors for production, storage, processing, and transport, driving regional food security and resilience.

‘These areas represent entry points for transformation,’ the report noted. ‘Ignoring them risks further decline and the loss of valuable opportunities to strengthen both local economies and national food systems.’

Nigeria’s economic future will not be defined by its resource endowment alone-it will be shaped by the strength, agility, and strategic coherence of its supply chains. As Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, Nigeria sits at the fulcrum of a continental transformation. The question is no longer whether Nigeria can lead Africa’s trade renaissance, but whether it will architect the systems to do so.

With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) now operational, Nigeria faces a historic opportunity to evolve from a consumption-driven economy into a production and export powerhouse. The AfCFTA connects 55 countries and over 1.4 billion people, creating a potential $1 trillion intra-African trade market by 2035. But scale alone is not strategy. Nigeria must build the systems, institutions, and capabilities to lead-not just participate-in this renaissance.

Under the leadership of Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) has established a strong foundation. The Ministry’s 2025 roadmap highlights economic diversification, industrialisation, and global competitiveness. Initiatives such as soft loans for MSMEs across 776 LGAs, rehabilitation of export zones, and digital trade protocols under AfCFTA signal intent. Dr. Oduwole’s focus on developing a ‘dynamic, resilient, and sustainable economy’ shows a clear understanding of Nigeria’s potential. Her team’s efforts to expand bilateral trade with Brazil, India, and the UAE, alongside her support for digital trade facilitation, warrant commendation.

However, intent must be matched with execution. Nigeria’s logistics costs remain among the highest in Africa, accounting for up to 30% of product value, compared to the global average of 8-15%. Customs delays, fragmented infrastructure, and regulatory bottlenecks continue to undermine competitiveness. Despite the Ministry’s roadmap, Nigeria lacks a unified, supply chain-focused strategy that integrates trade, transport, and industrial policy into a single coherent framework.

China’s transformation into the ‘factory of the world’ offers a compelling parallel. Between 1980 and 2020, China lifted over 800 million people out of poverty, primarily through manufacturing-led growth. Its regional industrial hubs-the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta, and Bohai Economic Rim-specialized in electronics, textiles, and heavy industry, respectively. These zones were supported by special economic incentives, massive infrastructure investment (over $1.3 trillion on transport infrastructure between 2010 and 2020), and export-oriented policies that linked local production to global markets.

Nigeria can replicate this model by developing regional manufacturing corridors-Lagos-Ibadan for consumer goods, Kano-Kaduna for agro-processing, and Port Harcourt-Calabar for petrochemicals and energy. But this requires coordinated policy, reliable infrastructure, and targeted investment.

Other African countries are already positioning themselves as regional supply chain hubs. Morocco has become a global automotive hub, exporting over 700,000 vehicles annually, supported by Renault and Stellantis plants. Ethiopia’s Hawassa Industrial Park has attracted textile manufacturers with low energy costs and streamlined customs processes. Kenya is investing in the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor to connect East Africa’s trade routes. South Africa remains dominant in automotive and mining supply chains, with over 60% of its exports going to other African countries.

Despite its market size, Nigeria ranks 131st in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (2023), behind Kenya (68th), Morocco (79th), and Ghana (120th). The risk of being leapfrogged is real.To lead Africa’s supply chain renaissance, Nigeria must institutionalise execution across five pillars: regional value chain development, infrastructure modernisation, digital transformation, institutional reform, and sustainability integration. Sectoral clusters must be identified and supported-agro-processing in the North, pharmaceuticals in the South-West, and energy in the South-South. Infrastructure projects like the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Kano-Maradi Rail Line, and inland dry ports must be accelerated, with last-mile logistics and renewable energy prioritised. Digital tools such as blockchain-enabled customs, AI-driven demand forecasting, and smart warehousing must be scaled. Nigeria’s digital economy, projected to reach $180 billion by 2025, is a strategic asset that must be fully leveraged.

Institutional reform is equally critical. Trade, transport, and industrial policies must be harmonised under a unified national strategy. Agencies such as Customs, NPA, and NEPC must be strengthened-not just in their mandate, but also in their execution. Public-private partnerships should be expanded to accelerate infrastructure delivery, while development finance institutions must design tailored instruments to de-risk industrial investment.

Nigeria must also embed Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into logistics and manufacturing. Global investors increasingly demand low-carbon, socially inclusive supply chains. Developing Nigeria’s carbon market in partnership with institutions like the IFC will future-proof competitiveness and attract green capital.

Dr. Oduwole’s leadership has opened the door. What’s needed now is a permanent, practitioner-led platform-a national supply chain think tank that informs policy, guides investment, and empowers execution. Not just for summit season, but for every quarter, every reform, every trade negotiation. This platform must produce quarterly diagnostics, policy briefs, and investment blueprints tailored to Nigeria’s evolving trade landscape.

Nigeria’s future will be built not by what it protects, but by what it connects. The time to architect that future is now.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has withheld assent to two bills recently passed by the National Assembly, citing provisions that he described as inconsistent with federal policy, financially risky, and potentially harmful to good governance.

Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, read the President’s letters to lawmakers on Tuesday at the resumption of plenary.

The first bill declined by the President is the proposed law establishing the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT).

While acknowledging its good intentions, Tinubu said the legislation contained several provisions that posed serious fiscal and governance challenges.

The bill empowered the institute to collect 1% of all import and export freight levies, a provision he described as ‘onerous and unfair to businesses’ and inconsistent with the Federal Government’s tax policy.

It authorized the institute to borrow up to ?50million without presidential approval, which he warned could open the door to ‘serious financial abuse.’

It also gave the institute power to invest funds, even though the agency is not revenue-generating by design.

Tinubu stressed that such clauses violated the government’s fiscal discipline framework and would set a dangerous precedent if allowed.

The President also rejected the National Library Trust Fund Establishment (Amendment) Bill 2025, citing conflicts with existing laws and policies.

According to him, the bill contained provisions that contradicted central government policy on the funding of public agencies, Taxation of national entities, Public service remuneration, and age and tenure of public servants.

He argued that enacting the bill in its present form would ‘create an unsustainable precedent against the public interest.’

In both letters, Tinubu urged the Senate to review the identified issues and make necessary corrections.

‘I hope that the Senate will take necessary steps to fix the identified issues with this legislation,’ he wrote.

In his response, Akpabio thanked the President for carefully scrutinizing the bills, noting that the concerns raised were valid and would be addressed by the relevant committees.

‘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 told his colleagues.

The two bills were subsequently referred to Senate committees for further legislative action.