Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, has announced that foreigners working in Nigeria will be required to pay taxes under a proposed amendment to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Bill, 2024.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja on Wednesday, September 25, Onanuga explained that the amendment is part of the Economic Stabilisation Bills recently approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and will soon be presented to the National Assembly.
The proposed bill, if passed, will mandate the registration of all individuals living and working in Nigeria, including foreigners, and assign them a tax identification number.
“This bill seeks to amend the existing law. Once the National Assembly passes it, everyone residing in Nigeria, including foreigners, will be registered and given a tax identity. If you are earning an income here, you will be registered and taxed accordingly," said Onanuga. He further clarified that under the current law, foreigners were excluded from registration and therefore not subject to taxation.
Onanuga also mentioned another bill within the Economic Stabilisation package, which concerns the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). He stated that the amendment would ensure that all fees, charges, levies, and fines paid to these agencies will now be done in Naira, at the prevailing exchange rate, instead of dollars.
“This government is emphasizing the use of our national currency. Instead of everything being dollarized, we are now saying, pay in Naira,” Onanuga concluded.
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