The Federal Executive Council is proposing an amendment to the National Identity Management Commission Act No. 23, 2007, to allow foreigners living in the country to obtain a National Identification Number.
On Wednesday, the FEC also proposed the Economy Stabilisation Bill, which would allow for the taxation of foreigners who live and work in Nigeria.
The two proposed laws seek to “expand the scope of registrable persons to include foreign individuals with the taxable presence or taxable source of income in Nigeria, and make provisions for the mandatory use of National Identification Number for transactions which are relevant for tax administration, and for related matters.”
The government proposes adding a new paragraph to Section 16 that states, “Any person, whether or not a citizen of Nigeria, who is deemed to be resident or otherwise subject to tax in Nigeria under any legislation in force in Nigeria.”
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If passed into law, the new bill would see expatriates and income-earning immigrants being taxed.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, revealed this while briefing State House Correspondents at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.
Onanuga explained that, “If the National Assembly passes that bill, it provides that everybody living in Nigeria, including foreigners, will now be registered and given NIN.
“Once you are doing some work here and earning income, you will be registered and given an NIN so that you can be taxed.
“Your NIN will give you your tax identity, and you can also be taxed and come under our tax structure. The law that set up the NIMC initially precludes foreigners from being registered.”
The presidential aide announced the third bill, which seeks to amend the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act No.17, 2007, to “provide for the payment of fees and other charges in naira to improve the ease of doing business and for related matters.”
Section 15 is amended by adding a new subsection (2), which states, “All fees, charges, levies, fines, and other monies accruing and payable to the Agency under this Act may be paid in Naira at the applicable official exchange rate.”
Onanuga explained, “Previously, these agencies charged in dollars, but now they can always collect in naira.” This government wants to place a strong emphasis on our national currency rather than dollarizing everything in our economy, the government is now saying, “Pay in Naira.” “Everything does not have to be in dollars.
