President Tinubu pushes bill to replace ASCON with new National School of Government

President Bola Tinubu has requested the Senate to consider a bill that would replace the existing Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) with a new National School of Government. The proposal, transmitted in a formal letter, seeks to repeal the ASCON Act and create a dedicated institution for leadership development, policy delivery and executive capacity building.

Presidential Letter Tinubu’s letter, sent under Section 58(2) of the 1999 Constitution, urged lawmakers to give the bill expeditious consideration. In the communication, he highlighted the need for a national centre that would strengthen public officials’ ability to implement government policies effectively. The letter was read aloud by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a plenary session on Wednesday.

Senate Response Following the reading, Akpabio informed senators that the bill’s clauses and provisions were attached to the communication for review. He then referred the proposal to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, signalling the start of the legislative process required to examine the bill’s details and institutional framework.

Bill’s Objectives The National School of Government Bill 2026 aims to replace the legal framework of the ASCON Act (A‑4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004) with a new statute that would establish the proposed school. According to the president’s communication, the institution would serve as a national hub for developing leadership skills and enhancing the capacity of public officials to translate policies into tangible outcomes.

Next Steps The bill’s referral to the Committee on Rules and Business means that senators will now scrutinise its provisions and determine the necessary legislative actions. If the Senate passes the bill, the National School of Government would become a key component of Nigeria’s public service development strategy.