President Tinubu Rejects NASS Library Trust Fund Bill

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has withheld his assent to the 2025 National Assembly Library Trust Fund (Establishment) Amendment Bill, citing that it contradicts established federal laws and government policies.

In a letter directed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and presented during Tuesday’s plenary session, the President acknowledged the bill’s purpose but expressed concerns regarding particular clauses.

The correspondence highlighted President Tinubu’s position that some aspects of the bill—especially those concerning how agencies under the National Assembly are funded, taxation of national institutions, remuneration structures in the public service, and rules on age and tenure—clash with existing legal frameworks and national policies.

“Notwithstanding the laudable objectives of the legislation, certain provisions contained therein go against the settled law and policies of the federal government of Nigeria,” Tinubu wrote.

He warned that approving the bill in its present form could compromise current governance mechanisms and create a problematic standard that is not in the nation’s best interest.

“If this bill becomes law, these provisions will establish an unsustainable precedent against the public interest,” he added.

The President officially informed the House that he would not be approving the bill and urged legislators to review and amend the provisions in question.

“I hope that the House of Representatives will take necessary steps to fix the identified issues with the legislation,” the letter concluded.

The proposed amendment aims to revise the structure for funding and managing the National Assembly’s library and to enhance support for legislative research.