Tinubu Moves to Replace ASCON with National School of Government

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 dedicated to leadership development and public sector capacity building.

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

In the letter, Tinubu said the proposed legislation 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.

According to the president, 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 stated.

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

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After reading the letter, Akpabio informed lawmakers that the bill’s clauses and provisions had been attached for their consideration.

The legislation was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative action.

Established in 1972, ASCON provides management training and works to strengthen administrative capacity across Nigeria’s public and private sectors.

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

The proposed replacement comes amid previous concerns over duplication of functions among government agencies.

In 2022, a House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating overlapping responsibilities among ministries, departments and agencies recommended merging ASCON with the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN).

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The committee’s chairman at the time, Victor Danzaria, argued that both institutions performed similar functions and questioned the continued allocation of public funds to agencies with overlapping responsibilities.

The National School of Government Bill 2026 will now undergo further legislative consideration by the Senate.