Expatriate Employment Levy - Renewed Hope for the Nigerian Youth »

By Comr Blessing Ele-ojo

On Tuesday March 27th, President Tinubu introduced the imposition of Expatriate Employment Levy (EEL), to be spearheaded by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo’s led Interior Ministry.

This initiative is poised to bolster Nigeria’s youth-dominated labour pool by facilitating skill transfer, jobs creation, and rejigging of the country’s workforce amidst the pressing challenges of unemployment and underemployment.

For context, let’s picture this: a young and brilliant graduate, filled with dreams and aspirations, yet facing the harsh reality of limited job opportunities. Meanwhile expatriates get the juicier jobs. This is the narrative for many Nigerian youths today. However, with the introduction of the EEL, the tide will turn to unlock doors of opportunity while equipping our youths with the useful skills they need to succeed in the ever-evolving job market.

The EEL is not just a tax imposed on companies for engaging foreign employees; it is an investment in our future. By incentivizing employers to invest in training, mentorship and on-boarding of local talents, it paves the way for Nigerian youths, home and abroad, to stand tall among global competitors, and to seize opportunities that were once out of reach. This will in turn serve to minimize the large-scale migration of indigenous talents.

In addition, the EEL will ensure that while attracting expertise and capital essential for driving the economy forward, it also safeguards the interests of local workers in other to strike a balance between economic growth and the social welfare of workers.

As for concerns raised about the impact of this levy on Nigerians abroad, let me assure you, similar measures are in place in some of the world’s most developed economies to regulate the employment of foreign workers. This is to ensure equitable contributions to the local economy.

For instance, countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom impose various forms of levies or visa fees on employers hiring foreign workers. These measures are implemented to protect domestic labor markets, promote workforce development, and ensure that foreign workers do not displace local talent.

The EEL emphasizes that Nigerian youths are not left behind, that they have a seat at the big tables, ready to contribute their talents and ideas to the global conversation. So, to all the Nigerian youths out there, the Expatriate Employment Levy is more than just a policy; it is a promise. A promise of opportunity, of empowerment, of a brighter tomorrow. Support and tap into its benefits when it launches operation.

Kudos to the Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for his visionary leadership in championing the Expatriate Employment Levy (EEL) using the Public Private Partnership approach (PPP). He is a true exemplar of the RenewedHope Mandate.