FG Seeks Jobs Security For Nigerians, To Prune Expatriate Quota

• Targets construction, oil and gas, telecoms, others

Seeking to fully match actions in the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’, the Federal Government will soon roll out a new policy on expatriate quota aimed at ensuring Nigerians enjoy better employment opportunities in the country.

Accordingly, the government said that to promote the proposed better employment deal for Nigerians, targeted organisations will be wholly foreign, joint ventures, or indigenous outfits engaging the services of expatriates.

Government sources explained that the focus is on companies currently operating within the oil and gas, telecoms, construction, hospitality, and manufacturing sectors among others.

Importantly, when fully implemented, the sources said the policy presents a viable economic imperative that would not only expand the revenue streams, but only the revenue profile of the country for socio-economic growth and development, especially in the areas of infrastructure projects currently suffering due to meagre resources.

By the policy outline, it is expected that Nigerian professionals will access job openings in companies and sectors where they have expertise and qualifications in line with the terms and conditions of the expatriate quota-enabled employment opportunities.

Competent sources further hinted that when details of the policy are finally made public in about two weeks’ time, the Ministry of Interior, in conjunction with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), will have the responsibility of overseeing its effective implementation.

This is in addition to the expected robust private partnership component meant to drive the process and ensure the seamless execution of the policy, with competent sources confirming that there is no cost implication for the Federal Government in the process leading to the policy take-off as well as the ones thereafter.

It was further gathered that the policy specifically targets the over 150,000 expatriates working in the country at the moment, but “as the number grows over time, they will be accommodated in the revenue-generation net.”

A top Ministry official, who explained that the government prefers to have specific details of the planned policy kept under wraps for now, said it is projected that in the next two decades, Nigeria would be well positioned to consistently attract about $1.5 billion annually into its revenue net from the expatriates making their living in Nigeria.

Noting that the expected revenue inflow is beside the Personal Income Tax prescribed by the amended Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) cap P8 LFN, 2007, and forms the legal basis for taxation of employment income, including those earned by expatriates working in Nigeria, the official said the revenue could be more in the event that the companies failed to absorb qualified Nigerians into the particular jobs allotted to them as part of the local content policy.

Also hinting that defaulting firms would face sanctions in terms of paying prescribed levies in penalties, the official said the policy focus is part of measures by the government to secure job slots for Nigerians in such organisations while discouraging expatriates from usurping employment opportunities where there are qualified Nigerians.

Further backing the government’s position, the official said the policy move would no doubt help to address the current challenge of brain or talent drain manifesting in the disturbing exodus of young Nigerians from the country in what is popularly known as “Japa” in the local parlance.