President Bola Tinubu has withheld presidential assent to two bills passed by Nigeria’s National Assembly, citing constitutional and legal concerns that must be resolved before the proposed legislation can become law.
The decision was conveyed to the Senate through separate letters read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The affected legislation includes the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria Bill.
Invoking Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Tinubu explained that both bills contain drafting errors, structural inconsistencies and legal provisions that require further legislative review.
On the Raw Materials Research and Development Council Amendment Bill, the President said the proposed title does not adequately reflect its objective of promoting the development, protection and processing of Nigeria’s raw materials. He also pointed to inconsistencies in the council’s functions and said some amendments were placed in sections that make the legislation difficult to understand.
For the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria Bill, Tinubu argued that several provisions would grant the institute regulatory powers beyond its statutory mandate. He said the proposed requirements for organisations to report procurement appointments to the institute, as well as powers to inspect and sanction independent entities, exceed the body’s legal authority.
Despite withholding assent, the President said both bills could still receive approval after the National Assembly corrects the identified constitutional and legal issues and resubmits them.
Following the reading of the letters, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred both bills to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative action, directing the committee to report back within four weeks.
Under Nigeria’s Constitution, the President may return bills passed by the National Assembly with observations for reconsideration before they can become law.
