Tinubu launches expatriate employment levy

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched the Expatriate Employment Levy (EEL), a mandatory contribution imposed on organisations that employ expatriate workers in Nigeria.

This was as he promised that his administration is putting measures in place to, as soon as possible, overcome the prevailing situation in the country, saying there is imminent light at the end of the tunnel.

The president also stated that he was confident that the levy would improve revenue, indigenization, and balancing employment opportunities in the country.

Tinubu, who described the initiative as a game changer, said, “It is important to know that EEL is a contribution recently approved by the government, which will impose an effective timeline on expatriates working in this country, to be able to train and develop Nigerians.

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“We expect revenue generation improvement, improved naturalization and indigenization, employment of more Nigerians by foreign companies operating in this country, balancing of employment opportunities between Nigerians and expatriates, closing the wage gap between the expatriate and the Nigerian labour force by making it more attractive to hire Nigerians.”

Speaking earlier, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed that EEL is a public, private project (PPP) and in line with the 8-point agenda of the president, especially on job security and economic growth.

In his remark, the chairman, Senate Committee on Interior, Adams Oshiomhole, praised what he called the bold initiative.