The Federal Executive Council (FEC) is proposing an amendment to the National Identity Management Commission Act No. 23 of 2007 to enable foreigners residing in the country to obtain a National Identification Number (NIN).
During a briefing on Wednesday, the FEC also introduced the Economy Stabilisation Bill, which aims to allow the taxation of foreigners living and working in Nigeria.
These two legislative proposals seek to “expand the scope of individuals eligible for registration to include foreign nationals with a taxable presence or source of income in Nigeria, and mandate the use of the National Identification Number for transactions relevant to tax administration and related matters.”
The government is suggesting a new clause for Section 16, stating, “Any person, whether or not a Nigerian citizen, who is considered resident or otherwise liable for taxation under any law in force in Nigeria.” If passed into law, this bill will subject expatriates and income-earning immigrants to taxation.
Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, shared this update while briefing journalists at the State House in Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday. Onanuga explained, “If the National Assembly approves the bill, everyone living in Nigeria, including foreigners, will be registered and issued a NIN.
Once you are working and earning income in Nigeria, you will receive a NIN, enabling the government to tax you.”
“Your NIN will serve as your tax identification, bringing you under the country’s tax structure. Previously, the NIMC Act excluded foreigners from registration.”
Onanuga also announced a third bill, which seeks to amend the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act No. 17 of 2007. This amendment aims to require payments of fees and charges in naira to facilitate business transactions and improve ease of doing business.
The amendment to Section 15 adds a new subsection (2), stating, “All fees, charges, levies, fines, and other amounts payable to the Agency under this Act may be settled in naira at the applicable official exchange rate.”
Onanuga noted, “Previously, these agencies charged in dollars, but now payments can be made in naira. The government is emphasizing the use of our national currency instead of relying on dollars.
The new approach is: ‘Pay in naira. Not everything has to be dollarized.'”
 is proposing an amendment to the National Identity Management Commission Act No. 23 of 2007 to enable foreigners residing in the country to obtain a National Identification Number (NIN).){kind=link}