President Bola Tinubu has declined to sign two recently passed bills from the National Assembly, citing major concerns over their fiscal impact, legal inconsistencies, and potential conflicts with federal government policies.
The development was disclosed during Tuesday’s plenary session when Senate President Godswill Akpabio read two separate letters from the President, formally notifying the lawmakers of his decision.
Tinubu Rejects Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology Bill
The first bill rejected is the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) Repeal and Reenactment Bill, which aimed to restructure the institute’s operations and funding model.
While acknowledging the good intentions behind the legislation, President Tinubu warned that several provisions of the bill pose risks to financial discipline and good governance.
Among the most contentious clauses is one that authorizes the institute to collect one percent of all import and export freight charges. Tinubu described this levy as “onerous and unfair to businesses,” stating it runs counter to the administration’s current tax policy framework.
Additionally, the President objected to provisions that would allow the NITT to:
- Borrow up to ₦50 million without presidential or National Assembly approval
- Invest public funds, despite being a non-revenue-generating agency funded through federal allocations
“These provisions, if enacted, could undermine fiscal accountability and open the door to financial abuse,” Tinubu warned.
National Library Trust Fund Amendment Bill Also Rejected
In a separate letter, President Tinubu also declined assent to the National Library Trust Fund Establishment (Amendment) Bill, 2025. He stated that the proposed amendments contradict existing laws and federal policies governing public sector finance, remuneration, and administration.
According to the President, the bill’s provisions are inconsistent with:
- Public funding models for federal institutions
- Policies on taxation of national entities
- Remuneration frameworks and tenure limits for public servants
He cautioned that approving the bill in its current form could set an “unsustainable precedent” and may not serve the public interest.
President Urges Lawmakers to Rework the Bills
President Tinubu urged the National Assembly to review and revise the problematic sections of both bills to ensure alignment with Nigeria’s legal and fiscal frameworks.
“I am committed to reforms that enhance transparency and service delivery, but such reforms must adhere strictly to our constitutional and fiscal responsibilities,” the President stated in the correspondence.
