Group praises Tinubu for withholdingassent to N’Assembly library fund bill

📝 Full Blog Post Content:

A prominent civic group, the Coalition for Fiscal Accountability in Governance (C-FAG), has publicly commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for withholding assent to the controversial National Assembly Library Fund Bill, which proposed a multi-billion naira allocation for a legislative library complex.

The bill, which quietly passed both chambers of the National Assembly earlier this year, faced public backlash after reports emerged of the proposed ₦40 billion project cost — a figure critics deemed excessive and poorly timed.

👏 The Praise:

In a press release issued on Friday, C-FAG described Tinubu’s action as a “rare show of fiscal responsibility in an era of economic hardship.”

“While we support knowledge and archival preservation, such a project must reflect national priorities. The President’s decision to withhold assent is commendable and in line with public interest,” said Dr. Mariam Sulaimon, spokesperson for the coalition.

📉 The Controversy:

The proposed bill sought to:

• Establish a standalone library for the National Assembly

• Allocate significant federal funding outside the annual legislative budget

• Operate with semi-autonomy and its own governing board

Critics slammed the bill as extravagant, especially at a time when the country is battling:

• High inflation and unemployment

• Underfunded public schools and libraries

• Worsening national debt

🧠 Tinubu’s Decision:

Sources at Aso Rock confirmed that President Tinubu returned the bill unsigned, citing concerns over:

• Lack of transparency in the budgeting process

• Public sensitivity to government spending

• The need for fiscal discipline and project prioritization

💬 Public Reaction:

The President’s decision has sparked widespread approval on social media, with hashtags like #40BillionLibrary and #SayNoToWaste trending on X (formerly Twitter).

“This is the leadership we need — not rubber-stamp approvals,” tweeted @NaijaTaxwatch.

Others have called on the National Assembly to redirect the proposed funds to revitalize existing national libraries and e-learning centers across Nigeria.

🔍 What’s Next?

The National Assembly may:

• Rework the bill and reduce the proposed funding

• Attempt to override the President’s veto (unlikely)

• Quietly shelve the proposal in response to public outrage

C-FAG and other civil groups have pledged to monitor the bill’s progress and ensure budgetary transparency.