FG Proposes NIN and Tax for Foreigners Living in Nigeria

President Tinubu

The Federal Government is proposing changes to the law that will require foreigners living in Nigeria to obtain the National Identification Number (NIN) and pay taxes.

On Wednesday, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) announced a plan to amend the National Identity Management Commission Act No. 23 of 2007. This amendment will allow foreigners in Nigeria to be registered and issued a NIN.

In addition, the FEC proposed the Economy Stabilisation Bill, which aims to impose taxes on foreigners who live and work in Nigeria.

The government stated that the new bills are intended to expand the scope of people who need to be registered to include foreign individuals with a taxable presence or income source in Nigeria. The NIN will be used for transactions that are important for tax administration.

If passed into law, the new bill will ensure that expatriates and foreigners earning an income in Nigeria are taxed.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, shared this information with State House Correspondents at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

Onanuga explained that if the National Assembly approves the proposed amendment, all residents in Nigeria, including foreigners, will be registered and given a NIN.

“Once you are working here and earning an income, you will be given a NIN so you can be taxed. The NIN will serve as your tax identity and ensure you are part of the tax system,” Onanuga said.

Previously, the National Identity Management Commission Act excluded foreigners from being registered. The new bill seeks to change that and include expatriates in the tax structure.

In addition to the NIN and tax bill, the government also proposed another bill to amend the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Act No. 17, 2007. The amendment would require all payments to the agency, such as fees and charges, to be made in naira instead of dollars.

“All fees, charges, and other monies payable to the Agency can now be paid in naira at the official exchange rate,” the new bill reads.

According to Onanuga, “Previously, these agencies charged fees in dollars. Now, the government is emphasizing payments in naira to support our local currency. We want to reduce dollar transactions in the economy and promote the use of naira for payments.”