The federal government of Nigeria has set aside N150.75Billion (approx $95.02 Million) for a comprehensive information and communication technology (ICT) Infrastructure for the collection of expatriate employment levy (EEL).
The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) website says the EEL was approved by the federal executive council (FEC) in May 2023, under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.
The ICRC says, Messrs Air Wave is the concessionaire of the project, which is expected to generate about $13.4 billion.
“The project is approved at a cost of $95,024,000, with Messrs Air Wave Ltd as concessionaire and an estimated revenue of $13,391,529,119 ($13.4 billion),” the statement reads.
On February 28, 2024 President Bola Tinubu launched the EEL levy in order to close wage gaps between expatriates and the domestic labour force.
The EEL requires companies to pay levies for hiring expatriates and provides guidelines for employing Nigerians in foreign-owned companies, with the goal being to “reduce reliance on foreign expertise and support local workforce development”.
Employers will pay $15,000 for every expatriate on director level and $10,000 for those on other levels annually.