FG Suspends Expatriate Employment Levy Rollout Amidst Backlash

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Federal Government has suspended the implementation of the recently enacted Expatriate Employment Levy by the Federal Ministry of Interior, as administered by the Nigerian Immigration Service.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the National President, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, Dele Kelvin Oye, on Friday.

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Oye said the resolution was taken following a successful Trade and Investment outreach led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Qatar and a productive meeting with the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Aniete, and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Expatriate Employment Levy Launching

The meeting was also attended by the President of the Petroleum Technology Association, the President of the Special Economic Zones Association, the Director General of the Nigerian Turkiye Business Council, the European Union Trade delegation head, the NACCIMA Chair of Digital Trade Group, and the representatives of the National Association of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises.

The statement partly reads: “The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, in collaboration with key stakeholders, announces a temporary step down of the recently enacted Expatriate Employment Levy by the Federal Ministry of Interior, as administered by the Nigerian Immigration Service.”

Last week, on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu launched the Expatriate Employment Levy.

However, the introduction of the levy attracted widespread condemnation from private sector groups.

Among other reasons, they said the levy will impact the much-needed Foreign Direct Investment by the current administration to rein in the free fall of the naira.

But announcing the suspension, the NACCIMA president said the policy reversal would allow for further consultations with NACCIMA and other vital stakeholders, adding that a review committee would be constituted.

He added, “It was unanimously agreed that the implementation of the Expatriate Employment Levy will be paused, allowing for further consultations with NACCIMA and other vital stakeholders.

A file Image of President Bola Tinubu at FEC Meeting

A joint committee comprising members of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Ministry of Interior, NACCIMA, and other stakeholders will be formed to review the EEL policy.

“The rollout of the EEL, as initially proposed, will be deferred in accordance with the resolutions made.”

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According to the statement, Oye further thanked the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the Ministry of Interior for their magnanimity, understanding, and willingness to engage in dialogue and consider the implications of the EEL on the business community.

“This is indicative of their commitment to creating an inviting atmosphere for both local and international investors.

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