President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has refused to sign the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (Establishment) Amendment Bill, 2025, saying it was against existing federal laws and policies.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated this on Tuesday, quoting Tinubu as acknowledging the laudable objectives of the proposed legislation, but said several provisions in the bill were at variance with settled laws and policies of the Federal Government.
Tinubu said the bill has clauses relating to funding mechanisms for agencies under the National Assembly, taxation of national entities, public service remuneration, as well as age and years of service, which he said could establish a dangerous and unsustainable precedent.
“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 stated.
The president said assenting the bill into law in its current form would not only contradict existing governance frameworks but also work against the public interest.
“If this bill becomes law, these provisions will establish an unsustainable precedent against the public interest,” the President added.
In view of these contradictions, Tinubu told the House that he would not be granting presidential assent to the legislation and urged lawmakers to review and address the identified issues.
“I hope that the House of Representatives will take necessary steps to fix the identified issues with the legislation,” the letter read.
The National Assembly Library Trust Fund Amendment Bill, 2025, was designed to strengthen the operations and financing of the legislative library system.
