The Legislative Advancement Forum has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his decision to withhold assent to the bill seeking to establish the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, recently passed by the National Assembly.
The bill aimed to strengthen the National Assembly Library Trust Fund by proposing new funding strategies and expanding its mandate.
President Tinubu had withheld his assent to the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (Establishment) Amendment Bill, 2025, citing constitutional, policy, and fiscal concerns.
The President highlighted provisions in the bill that conflict with federal laws and policies, particularly regarding funding mechanisms for agencies under the National Assembly, taxation of national entities, public service remuneration, and age and service limits.
The President also warned that signing the bill into law could set an unsustainable precedent, negatively impacting public interest and governance.
However, in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Forum’s spokesperson, Ademola Samuel, the group described the President’s decision as a demonstration of fiscal responsibility and commitment to legislative reforms that prioritize national interest over institutional expansion.
According to the statement, “While the need to strengthen legislative research and documentation is not in doubt, establishing a separate Trust Fund at this time may lead to unnecessary duplication of functions and strain on public finances. Existing structures can be reformed and better resourced to serve the same purpose.”
The Forum urged the National Assembly to focus on streamlining institutional frameworks and aligning proposed legislations with current economic realities, adding that the President’s action provides an opportunity for broader stakeholder engagement on how best to improve the legislative support system without creating new funding agencies.
