May 05, (THEWILL) — President Bola Tinubu has declined assent to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Repeal and Re-enactment (Establishment) Bill, 2026, returning the proposed legislation to the National Assembly for further legislative review and correction of identified drafting gaps.
In a formal communication to lawmakers, read on the floor of the House of Representatives by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, President Tinubu invoked Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), outlining specific concerns about errors and inconsistencies contained in the bill.
The President acknowledged the reform-driven intentions behind the legislation, noting that the proposed amendments to the framework of the National Identity Management Commission reflect ongoing national efforts to strengthen identity management systems and improve institutional efficiency.
However, he stressed that certain provisions of the bill did not meet the required legislative clarity and precision needed for effective implementation.
A key concern raised was the long title of the bill, which, according to the President, failed to clearly reflect both the repeal and re-enactment components, thereby creating ambiguity in its interpretation and legal intent.
Tinubu also identified inconsistencies in Section 4(2) of the bill, where some institutional representatives were wrongly classified as presidential appointees serving in a part-time capacity. He clarified that such individuals ought to be properly designated as ex-officio members, serving by virtue of their official positions.
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