President Bola Tinubu has launched the Expatriate Employment Levy (EEL) to address wage disparities between expatriates and Nigerian workers.
The EEL mandates companies to pay levies for hiring expatriates and provides guidelines for employing Nigerians in foreign-owned firms. Tinubu emphasized that while overseeing expatriate employment, the policy should not hinder foreign investment.
According to the EEL handbook, the initiative aims to reduce reliance on foreign expertise and encourage companies to prioritize hiring Nigerians, thereby fostering local workforce development. The government seeks to strike a balance between leveraging foreign skills and nurturing local talent in Nigeria’s job market through the EEL.
Tinubu hailed the policy as a game changer, stressing its role in training and developing Nigerian workers while plugging security gaps associated with foreign presence in the country.
He underscored ongoing efforts by his administration to enhance living standards for Nigerians through collaboration across various government agencies, aimed at advancing the nation’s financial system.
On his part, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, revealed that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the federal government, in partnership with a private company, will implement the initiative through a public-private partnership model.
According to him, the project, approved by the Federal Executive Council in May 2023, aims to ensure expatriates are hired only where no Nigerian possesses the requisite skills.
“This initiative focuses on balancing employment opportunities between Nigerians and expatriates, closing wage gaps, and making Nigerian employment more appealing”, he said.