President Bola Tinubu has withheld his assent to two bills recently passed by the National Assembly, citing fiscal concerns, legal inconsistencies, and potential conflicts with existing government policies.
The development was made public during plenary on Tuesday, when the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read separate letters from the President explaining the reasons for declining assent to both proposed legislations.
The affected bills are the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) Repeal and Re-enactment Bill and the National Library Trust Fund Establishment (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
While commending the intention behind the NITT Repeal and Re-enactment Bill, Tinubu described some of its provisions as “flawed” and potentially damaging to fiscal discipline and good governance.
A major area of concern was the proposed clause mandating the institute to collect one per cent of all import and export freight charges to fund its operations, a provision the President said would impose undue financial pressure on businesses, and contradict Nigeria’s current tax reform framework.
“Such a levy is onerous and unfair to businesses,” Tinubu stated, stressing that it contradicts the Federal Government’s commitment to reducing multiple taxation and simplifying the tax system.
Tinubu Warns Against ‘Unchecked borrowing’
Naijaonpoint reports that the President also objected to a section of the bill that empowers the institute to borrow up to ₦50 million without presidential approval, describing it as a potential loophole for financial abuse and weak oversight.
“Allowing borrowing without executive approval undermines accountability and opens the door to misuse of public funds,” he warned.
Tinubu further faulted a clause authorising the institute to invest its funds, arguing that the NITT is not a revenue-generating body and relies primarily on federal budgetary allocations.
According to him, such financial independence provisions are “inappropriate and inconsistent with established fiscal management principles.”
In a separate correspondence, Tinubu also declined assent to the National Library Trust Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2025, saying its provisions conflict with existing federal laws and public sector policies.
The President noted that parts of the bill were inconsistent with national frameworks on funding of public institutions, taxation of national entities, public service remuneration, and tenure regulations.
“Enacting this amendment in its current form would create an unsustainable precedent and may not serve the public interest,” he stated.
President Tinubu, however, reaffirmed his commitment to supporting legislation that promotes transparency and effective governance.
He urged the National Assembly to review and harmonise the contentious clauses to align with existing laws and fiscal priorities.
“The issues raised can be revisited and corrected to ensure both bills support the government’s overall economic and policy direction,” the President said in his letter.
Naijaonpoint reports that the two bills were among a series of legislative measures passed recently by the 10th National Assembly, aimed at strengthening public institutions and improving service delivery.
Tinubu’s decision marks the second time in recent months he has returned bills to lawmakers over concerns relating to funding mechanisms and policy conflicts, signalling a tighter executive stance on fiscal discipline and institutional accountability.
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