President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally declined assent to the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (Establishment) Amendment Bill, 2025, citing significant inconsistencies with existing federal laws, policies, and broader public interest. In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, which was read at plenary by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, President Tinubu conveyed his decision, acknowledging the bill's laudable objectives while highlighting several problematic provisions.

The proposed legislation, intended to strengthen the operations and financing of the legislative library system and transform the National Assembly Library Trust Fund into the National Assembly Resource Centre, contained clauses that raised serious concerns for the President. Specifically, these included provisions related to the funding mechanisms for agencies under the National Assembly, the taxation of national entities, public service remuneration, and matters concerning age and years of service for public officials. President Tinubu warned that if enacted in its current form, these provisions would not only contradict established governance frameworks but also set a dangerous and unsustainable precedent, working against the public interest by posing significant legal and fiscal risks.

Despite the bill's commendable goals, President Tinubu emphasized that its current drafting presented a conflict with settled laws and policies of the Federal Government of Nigeria. He stressed that allowing such a bill to pass would have negative implications for governance and potentially create ripple effects across the entire public sector. While the letter did not detail every contentious provision, the overarching message was clear: the bill, as drafted, does not align with constitutional requirements and sound fiscal practices.

Consequently, President Tinubu urged lawmakers to revisit and revise the bill to address the identified issues. He expressed his hope that the House of Representatives would take the necessary steps to fix these concerns, ensuring the legislation aligns with established legal frameworks and administrative policies. The amendment bill will now be returned to the legislature for further deliberation, potential amendment, or an override attempt, as it seeks to expand its mandate and propose new funding strategies for the National Assembly's resource capabilities.