President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve a bill seeking to repeal the law establishing the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) and replace it with a National School of Government focused on leadership development and improved public service delivery.
The President transmitted the National School of Government Bill 2026 to the upper chamber for consideration, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio reading the accompanying letter during plenary on Wednesday.
In the letter, Tinubu urged lawmakers to give the proposed legislation expeditious consideration, saying the new institution would provide a dedicated framework 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 President stated.
He expressed the hope that the lawmakers would give the bill the necessary attention to facilitate its consideration.
The proposed legislation seeks to repeal the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria Act, A-4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and replace it with a new legal framework for establishing the National School of Government, Nigeria.
According to the presidential communication, the institution would serve as a national centre for leadership development, policy delivery and executive capacity building.
The proposal is intended to strengthen the ability of public officials to translate government policies into practical outcomes through improved leadership skills, training and institutional capacity.
Senate refers bill for further action
Following the presentation of the presidential letter, Akpabio informed senators that the bill’s clauses and provisions had been attached for their consideration.
He subsequently referred the legislation to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative action.
The referral marks the beginning of the bill’s further consideration within the Senate. The proposal must pass through the legislative process before it can become law.
What happens to ASCON?
Established in 1972, the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria is located in Topo, Badagry, Lagos State. The institution provides management training and undertakes research and consultancy services aimed at strengthening administrative capacity.
The proposed repeal would replace the existing statutory framework governing ASCON with legislation establishing the National School of Government.
However, details of the proposed institution’s governance structure, funding arrangements, location and relationship with existing public service training bodies remain important issues for legislative scrutiny.
The proposal also comes against the background of previous concerns about overlapping responsibilities among government training institutions.
In 2022, a House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating duplication of functions among ministries, departments and agencies recommended merging ASCON with the Public Service Institute of Nigeria.
The committee questioned the need to continue funding institutions with similar responsibilities, bringing attention to the need for clarity in the organisation of public-sector training.
As the National School of Government Bill proceeds through the Senate, lawmakers will have to examine its provisions and determine the legal and institutional arrangements required to establish the proposed body.
The outcome will shape the future statutory framework for federal public-sector leadership and management training in Nigeria.
