President Bola Tinubu has declined to sign a bill that proposed extending the retirement age and years of service for legislative officers at the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly.
The bill sought to raise the retirement age from 60 to 65 years and increase the years of service from 35 to 40.
The President’s decision was communicated in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on the Senate floor today. In the letter, President Tinubu explained his reasons for withholding assent, stating:
“Upon thorough examination and careful consideration, I have decided to withhold my assent to the bill,” the President wrote. “This decision is made by the powers vested in me by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the diligent work of the Senate with regard to the drafting and passage of this Bill. I hope you will receive it with understanding.”
The controversial bill, which had been debated in previous legislative sessions, was initially introduced during the 7th Assembly. It faced opposition in both the 9th and 10th Assemblies. In February 2024, the bill was stepped down for further research and consultation with stakeholders after many senators voted against it.
Senate President Akpabio presided over the session, marking the first legislative sitting after an eight-week recess.
