Tinubu sends ASCON replacement bill to senate

President Bola Tinubu has transmitted the National School of Government Bill 2026 to the senate, seeking to repeal the law establishing the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) and create a new institution focused on leadership development and public sector capacity building.

 

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Tinubu’s letter during plenary on Tuesday.

 

In the letter, Tinubu said the bill seeks to repeal the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria Act, A-4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and establish the National School of Government, Nigeria.

 

The president said the proposed institution would serve as a national centre for leadership development, policy delivery and executive capacity building.

 

 

“Pursuant to Section 58 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, I forward herewith the National School of Government Bill 2026 for the kind consideration of the Senate,” the letter reads.

 

Tinubu expressed hope that the senate would give the bill expeditious consideration.

 

After reading the letter, Akpabio said the bill’s clauses and provisions had been attached for the senate’s consideration.

 

 

The bill was subsequently referred to the senate committee on rules and business for further legislative action.

 

ASCON was established in 1972 to provide management training and strengthen administrative capacity in Nigeria’s public and private sectors.

 

Located in Topo, Badagry, Lagos state, the institution also conducts management research and provides consultancy services.

 

In 2022, a house of representatives ad hoc committee investigating duplication of functions by ministries, departments and agencies recommended the merger of ASCON and the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN).

 

 

Victor Danzaria, chairman of the committee at the time, said ASCON and PSIN perform similar functions and questioned the need to continue funding agencies with overlapping responsibilities.