2025 has been a significant year for the National Assembly and President Bola Tinubu, as the executive and legislative arms navigated a mix of cooperation and caution in lawmaking.

The 10th National Assembly has received both praise and criticism for its responsiveness to the executive, with Tinubu assenting to some key bills while declining others.

On numerous occasions, the president emphasised the need for legislation that aligns with national interest, fiscal responsibility, and economic growth.

The relationship between the two arms of government has, in 2025, produced laws aimed at governing critical sectors of the economy while reflecting the administration’s policy priorities.

Here are some of the bills passed by the National Assembly and assented to by Tinubu in 2025:

INSURANCE INDUSTRY BILL

In August, Tinubu signed the Insurance Industry Bill into law, aimed at strengthening regulatory frameworks and improving investor confidence in the sector.

The law seeks to promote transparency, enhance consumer protection, and attract local and foreign investment.

“This development reaffirms the administration’s commitment to financial stability, economic development, and inclusive growth,” Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesman, said in a statement.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND TAX REFORM BILLS

In June, the president assented to the Fiscal Responsibility and Tax Reforms Bill, 2025.

The law provides new guidelines for public financial management, aims to improve revenue collection, and introduces reforms designed to widen the tax base and streamline compliance for businesses and individuals.

Tinubu said the tax bills will unify the country’s fragmented tax system.

“They (tax reform bills) deliver the first major, pro-people tax cuts in a generation, targeted relief for low-income earners, small businesses, and families working hard to make ends meet,” the president said.

“For too long, our tax system has been a patchwork — complex, inequitable, and burdensome. It has weighed down the vulnerable and shielded inefficiency. That era ends today.”

While these bills received presidential assent, Tinubu declined to sign others, citing concerns about overlaps, fiscal implications, or regulatory conflicts.

Among the bills withheld were:

NATIONAL LIBRARY BILL

In June, Tinubu declined assent to a bill seeking to establish the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, 2025, into law.

The bill was passed by both chambers of the National Assembly.

The National Library Bill, intended to expand and modernise library services across Nigeria, was returned unsigned due to concerns over budgetary allocations and implementation logistics.

The president said while the bill contains laudable objectives, some of its provisions conflict with extant laws.

“Notwithstanding the laudable objectives of the legislation, certain provisions contained therein go against the settled law and policies of the federal government of Nigeria as it relates to the funding of agencies under the National Assembly, taxation of national entities, public service remuneration, as well as age and year of service, among others,” Tinubu said in a letter to the National Assembly leadership.

He also raised several concerns, particularly about funding.

Tinubu cautioned that signing the bill in its current form could create an impractical precedent.

“If this bill becomes law, these provisions will establish an unsustainable precedent against the public interest,” he said.

NDLEA ESTABLISHMENT BILL

In June, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Establishment Bill was declined, with the president requesting further review of organisational structures and funding mechanisms.

Tinubu noted that the bill seeks to empower the NDLEA to retain a portion of proceeds from drug-related crimes, noting that it is against extant financial regulations.

He stated that under the current system, all proceeds from crime are deposited in the government’s confiscated and forfeited property accounts and should remain so for proper oversight.

“There is no compelling reason to change the current process, which promotes transparency, as it involves executive and legislative oversight,” Tinubu said.

NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGY (ESTABLISHMENT) BILL 2025

In October, Tinubu withheld assent to the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (Establishment) Bill 2025, citing “fundamental defects” in its funding and borrowing provisions.

He faulted a clause that sought to fund the institute via a one percent levy on freight for every import and export — described as an unauthorised levy outside the normal budgetary and revenue frameworks.

“In the extant act, borrowing can be made with the approval of the president. The removal of the president’s approval has not been explained or justified,” he said.

“The provision could be abused, and such incidents could amount to serious financial violations.”

Tinubu also rejected the clause that permitted the institute to invest government-appropriated funds in securities, arguing that a publicly funded body should not engage in speculative investment for surplus revenue.