Tinubu Seeks Senate Nod to Replace ASCON With National School of Government

President Bola Tinubu has transmitted the National School of Government Bill 2026 to the Senate, seeking approval to repeal the law establishing the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) and establish a new institution dedicated to leadership development and effective policy delivery.

The President’s request was conveyed in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.

In the letter, Tinubu urged the Senate to give the proposed legislation expeditious consideration, citing the need to strengthen leadership development and improve the capacity of public officials to implement government policies.

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, as a national centre for leadership development, policy delivery and executive capacity building.

The proposed institution is expected to support efforts to improve governance by equipping public officials with the skills and knowledge required to translate government policies into practical outcomes.

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.

The proposal comes amid previous concerns about overlapping responsibilities among public-sector training institutions. In 2022, a House of Representatives committee investigating duplication of functions among ministries, departments and agencies recommended a merger between ASCON and the Public Service Institute of Nigeria.

The committee had argued that the two institutions performed similar functions, raising questions about the need to maintain separate agencies with overlapping mandates.

Following the reading of the President’s letter, Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative action.

The proposed replacement remains subject to consideration and approval by the National Assembly.