- FIRS: Buhari Says Goodbye to Fowler, Appoints Nami
President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Muhammad Nami as the new chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) following the expiration of Mr. Babatunde Fowler’s tenure on 9, December 2019.
Fowler had served the service for four years and introduced digital innovation that helped improved revenue generation and expands the tax net to about 45 million.
Despite numerous successes recorded, President Muhammadu Buhari refused to reappoint the now former Chairman of the FIRS.
According to a statement put out by Garba Shehu, Buhari’s media aide, “Mr Muhammad, a well-trained tax, accounting and management professional with highly-rated qualifications and professional practice and licences from relevant professional bodies, has almost three decades of practical work experience in auditing, tax management and advisory and management services to clients in the banking, manufacturing, services and public sectors as well as non-profit organisations.”
Shehu added, “He is an expert in rendering advisory support services to investors in respect of new business start-ups and management of existing business.
“He has also continuously rendered outsourced services to clients in trading, service and manufacturing sectors of the nation’s economy.”
On Monday, Fowler handed over to Abiodun Aina, the Coordinating Director, Domestic Taxes Group at the FIRS, at 6.39 pm inside the boardroom of the agency.
The former chairman thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for giving him a chance to serve his nation.
He, however, said there is nothing automatic about the second term.
“There is nothing automatic about having a second term. Some of you might say it’s a big surprise. It is a privileged to serve one’s country. And if you have the privilege of serving your country for one term and you believe you have done your best, you have to thank God for that,” Fowler said.
Fowler added that “I hope in leaving the FIRS, I’ve left behind something positive that each and every one of you can build on.”
Aina promised to lead the service in an effective manner during the transition period.
“You have done a lot within the space of four years. You have transformed the FIRS. You have modernised it. There have been a lot of innovations. And under you we have achieved great heights,” Aina told Fowler.
