The scheme was launched by the country’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday at the State House Council Chambers in Abuja.
The scheme which was said to be an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Interior is aimed to bolster revenue generation, expand employment prospects for Nigerians employed in foreign companies operating within Nigeria, bridge the wage disparities between expatriates and Nigerian workers, and yield numerous other advantages.
President Tinubu while launching the EEL described it as a transformative endeavor, encouraging foreign companies operating in the nation to hire more Nigerians, promote equitable employment opportunities, and diminish the wage disparity between expatriates and the Nigerian workforce.
He emphasized, “EEL is a recent government-approved initiative designed to establish a clear timeline for expatriates working in Nigeria to train and develop Nigerian counterparts.”
“We anticipate improvements in revenue generation, enhanced naturalization and indigenization processes, increased employment of Nigerians by foreign firms, a more equitable balance of job opportunities between Nigerians and expatriates, and a reduction in the wage gap between expatriates and the Nigerian workforce, making it more appealing to hire Nigerians.”
“We want to assure Nigerians that despite current challenges, there is optimism for the future. Collaboration among key institutions such as the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, and the Central Bank of Nigeria, is underway to reshape the country’s finances and prioritize growth.”
“I have received reassurances that the project will address loopholes in security management and the movement of foreigners in and out of the country. Importantly, this initiative will contribute to both revenue generation and addressing employment disparities by narrowing the salary gaps between expatriate and Nigerian workers.”
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, giving more insight said the project which will be operated on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, will have the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) as the implementation agency.
He said, “The primary objective of this initiative is to ensure that when an expatriate is brought to work in Nigeria, it is for a role that requires skills not readily available among Nigerians. This initiative aims to balance employment opportunities between Nigerians and expatriates, ultimately closing wage gaps by making hiring Nigerians more appealing.”
“One of the driving forces behind this initiative is to reduce reliance on foreign personnel and decrease the frequency of requests for expatriate quotas renewal by companies. We are committed to its effective implementation.”
“We envision a scenario where each expatriate arrival is accompanied by a knowledge transfer period, enabling Nigerians to assume the responsibilities and create opportunities for our youth.”