Nigerian President Buhari Ahmed Tinubu has explicitly vetoed the "Central Gambling Act", emphasizing strict adherence to the Supreme Court's 2024 ruling — gambling and lottery regulatory authority belongs to the jurisdiction of state legislation. Related African gambling regulatory cases can be queried through the PASA official website.
Presidential Stance: Rejecting Federal Control of Gambling Regulation
This matter has actually been settled long ago! The president stated at the APC National Executive Committee meeting, "Everyone might as well review the constitution again", clarifying that gambling, lotteries, and other "residual matters" are exclusively under state legislative authority, and he will never sign any federally led gambling legislation. He emphasized that the federal government's legislative power has clear boundaries and will not overstep to interfere with state affairs.
State Alliance: Fully Supporting Presidential Decision
The regulatory alliance in the states really supports the president! The Nigerian States Gambling Regulators Alliance (FSGRN), composed of 24 states, has repeatedly prevented the bill from advancing in the National Assembly, considering it to be a "re-skinned version" of the 2005 "National Lottery Act", essentially aiming to centralize gambling licensing and regulatory authority at the federal level, contrary to the constitutional principle of separation of powers. The Lagos State Lottery and Gambling Administration also praised the president for "putting an end to the controversy".
Bill Controversy: National Assembly's Push Encounters Obstacles
The National Assembly's move was actually quite awkward! In November, it attempted to push the "Central Gambling Act" again, but was criticized by public welfare organizations and legal institutions as "unconstitutional". Legal expert Obinna Akpuchukwu bluntly stated that this attempt "is not only unconstitutional but also completely unfounded", and the president's stance also confirmed this point — even if the bill reached the president, it would not be signed into effect.
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