The Federal Government has temporarily suspended the implementation of the Expatriate Employment Levy (EEL) in response to concerns raised by stakeholders. Ozoya Imohimi, the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Interior announced the decision on Friday night.
The suspension follows a meeting between the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and a delegation led by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Doris Uzoka-Anite. The meeting aimed to address concerns and seek clarification on the recently launched EEL guidelines. It was resolved during the discussion that the policy's implementation would be put on hold for further dialogue among stakeholders.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo emphasized the government's commitment to engaging in meaningful dialogue, balancing foreign investment attraction with human capital development. The EEL policy, initiated to discourage Expatriate quota system abuse, will undergo further scrutiny to ensure it aligns with the government's objectives.
Minister Uzoka-Anite called for increased collaboration between the government and the private sector to create a conducive business environment. The President of NACCIMA, Hon. Dele Kelvin Oye, and other stakeholders expressed concerns about the policy's impact on businesses and advocated for its suspension to allow for more comprehensive dialogue and consensus-building.
The EEL guidelines, launched on February 27, 2024, aim to stimulate economic growth, nationalization efforts, knowledge transfer, and employment opportunities for Nigerians, while addressing wage gaps between expatriates and local workers.
