President Bola Tinubu has refused assent to two major bills passed by Nigeria’s parliament, underscoring concerns over governance, fiscal accountability and policy coherence.
The bills — to establish the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology and amend the National Library Trust Fund — were returned to the National Assembly with detailed objections.
Tinubu warned that the transport bill included provisions that could undermine fiscal discipline, such as a one per cent levy on all imports and exports, the power to borrow up to ₦50 million without presidential consent, and authority to invest federal allocations as “surplus” funds. He argued these measures were unjustified, vulnerable to abuse and contradicted the institute’s reliance on government funding.
On the library trust fund amendment, Tinubu highlighted contradictions with existing policies on taxation, remuneration and tenure limits in public service. He said enacting the law as drafted would “set an unsustainable precedent” and conflict with wider government reforms.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed the President’s feedback, noting that the executive had “taken time to go through each and every bill.” Lawmakers are expected to review and possibly amend the proposed legislation.
