President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declined to sign two recently passed bills from the National Assembly, warning that certain provisions could undermine fiscal discipline, conflict with existing laws, and set risky precedents for public finance management.
The President’s decision was conveyed in two separate letters read on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary.
The rejected legislations are the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (Establishment) Bill, 2025, and the National Library Trust Fund (Establishment, etc.) Amendment Bill, 2025.
While acknowledging the objectives of both bills, Tinubu said several clauses contravened federal fiscal and administrative principles.
Concerns Over the Transport Technology Bill
In his letter regarding the Transport Technology Bill, the President faulted provisions introducing new levies, unregulated borrowing, and investment of public funds in securities. He warned that these measures could create opaque revenue streams and expose the system to potential financial abuse.
Tinubu particularly referenced Section 18(4a), which proposed funding the institute with one per cent of freight charges on all imports and exports. He said such a levy, not approved by the Federal Executive Council, would increase the cost of trade and bypass the national budgetary process.
He also criticised Section 20, which empowered the institute to borrow up to ₦50 million without presidential consent. Tinubu described the clause as “a loophole that could enable repeated borrowing below the oversight threshold.”
Sections 21 and 23, which permitted the institute to invest government-appropriated funds, were also deemed “fiscally dangerous.”
“These provisions, if allowed, would undermine fiscal discipline and create opportunities for misuse of public funds. For these reasons, I withhold my assent to the bill,” the President stated.
Library Trust Fund Bill Also Rejected
In a separate communication, Tinubu explained that while the National Library Trust Fund Amendment Bill had noble intentions, several sections conflicted with existing federal laws and policy frameworks.
He highlighted issues around funding mechanisms, taxation, staff remuneration, and tenure provisions, saying they were “unsustainable and against public interest.”
“For these reasons, I cannot grant presidential assent to the bill in its current form. I urge the Senate to revisit and address the identified issues,” the President’s letter read.
Senate’s Response
After reading both correspondences, Senate President Akpabio commended the President for his diligence and thorough scrutiny of legislative proposals.
“This demonstrates the seriousness with which Mr President reviews every legislation we pass. It is now our duty to address the concerns raised,” Akpabio said.
Following deliberations, the Senate referred the Transport Technology Bill to the Committee of the Whole, and the Library Trust Fund Amendment Bill to the Committees on Special Duties and Establishment and Public Service Matters for further review.
The move reflects the administration’s heightened scrutiny of legislative outputs and reaffirms Tinubu’s commitment to enforcing fiscal discipline and aligning all legislative actions with his Renewed Hope economic reform agenda.
