President Bola Tinubu has rejected the harmonized bill seeking to extend National Assembly staff’s service year by five years. The bill aimed to increase the retirement age to 65 years or 40 years of service, up from the current 60 years or 35 years .
This decision comes after the bill passed the House of Representatives and was initially rejected, then reconsidered and passed by the Senate.
In a letter to lawmakers, read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu explained that his rejection was based on thorough examination and wide consultation.
He appreciated the Senate’s diligent work on the bill but decided to withhold his assent, citing powers vested in him by the Constitution.
The bill, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, aimed to protect institutional memory in the National Assembly by extending parliamentary workers’ retirement age .
Bamidele drew inspiration from countries like America and the UK. However, senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Ali Ndume, and Mohammed Dandutse opposed the bill.
