Tinubu Rejects Assent to Two National Assembly Bills
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declined to sign into law two bills recently passed by the National Assembly, citing constitutional concerns and legislative drafting flaws that must be addressed before they can receive presidential assent.
The decision was conveyed to the Senate in two separate letters read during Thursday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The affected bills are the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria Bill.
President Tinubu explained that his decision was taken in line with Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the President to withhold assent to bills and return them to the National Assembly with observations for reconsideration.
On the Raw Materials Research and Development Council Amendment Bill, the President said the proposed legislation contained structural inconsistencies and drafting errors. He noted that the bill’s title did not accurately reflect its main objective of promoting the development, protection, processing and value addition of Nigeria’s raw materials.
He also observed that some provisions confused the council’s statutory functions with legislative objectives, while other amendments were inserted in inappropriate sections of the principal law, making the bill disjointed and difficult to interpret.
Regarding the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria Bill, Tinubu acknowledged that several of its proposed amendments were beneficial. However, he raised concerns over provisions that would grant the institute regulatory powers beyond its legal mandate.
According to the President, requiring a companies and other incorporated organisations to notify the institute whenever they appoint procurement and supply chain executives is inappropriate because the institute is not the statutory regulator of such entities.
He further objected to clauses empowering the institute to inspect organisations, enforce compliance and sanction employers operating under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, arguing that such powers exceed the institute’s legal authority.
Despite withholding assent, Tinubu indicated that both bills could be reconsidered for approval after the identified constitutional and legal issues are corrected by lawmakers.
Following the reading of the President’s letters, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred both communications to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, directing the committee to review the observations and report back to the Senate within four weeks.
Under the Nigerian Constitution, the National Assembly may amend the bills in line with the President’s recommendations or, where necessary, take constitutional steps to override the presidential veto.
