Tinubu Withholds Assent to Two Bills, Citing Fiscal, Legal Concerns

President Bola Tinubu has withheld his assent to two bills recently passed by the National Assembly, citing concerns over their fiscal impact, legal inconsistencies and potential conflicts with existing federal policies.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the development Tuesday during plenary, reading separate letters from the president outlining his reasons for rejecting the proposed laws.

The first, the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, seeks to restructure the institute’s operations and funding mechanisms. While acknowledging the intent behind the bill, Tinubu said several provisions were flawed and could undermine financial discipline and good governance.

A major concern, he said, was a clause allowing the institute to collect 1% of all import and export freight charges — a levy he described as “onerous and unfair to businesses.” The president noted that the charge also contradicts the government’s current tax policy framework.

Tinubu also objected to a section empowering the institute to borrow up to 50 million naira without presidential approval, warning that such authority could weaken executive oversight and open the door to financial abuse. He further criticized a provision permitting the institute to invest its funds, arguing that as a non-revenue-generating agency funded through federal allocations, such an arrangement conflicts with fiscal management principles.

In a separate letter, Tinubu declined assent to the National Library Trust Fund Establishment (Amendment) Bill, 2025, citing inconsistencies with existing laws and government policies.

According to the president, the proposed amendments conflict with national policies on public institution funding, taxation, civil service remuneration and age and tenure limits for public officers.

Tinubu warned that approving the bill in its current form could create an unsustainable precedent and may not serve the public interest. He urged the National Assembly to review and amend the affected provisions to ensure alignment with existing laws and government priorities.