Buhari nominates Muhammad Nami to replace FIRS boss Fowler

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the composition of a new board for the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, TOPNAIJA.Ng reports.

The President nominated a renowned tax consultant, Muhammad M. Nami as the new chairman. However this approval is largely subject to Senate confirmation

This was contained in a statement by President Buhari’s Spokesman, Garba Shehu.

The board is composed of a member representing each of the six geographical zones and statutory representatives from a select number of ministries and government agencies.

The statement added that, “Mr Muhammad, a well-trained Tax, Accounting and Management professional with highly rated qualifications and professional practice and licenses from relevant professional bodies, has almost three decades of practical working 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 organizations.

“He is an expert in rendering advisory support services to investors in respect of new business start-ups and management of existing businesses. He has also continuously rendered outsourced services to clients in trading, service and manufacturing sectors of the nation’s economy.

“Muhammad Nami attended Bayero University Kano and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology (1991) and a Masters of Business degree (2004) respectively. He is a fellow of Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Institute of Debt Recovery Practitioners of Nigeria and Associate Member of Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) and Association of National Accountants of Nigeria.

“He started his career with PFK in 1993 and rose to the position of a Senior Consultant in charge of Tax management and advisory services. He is currently the managing consultant of Manam Professional Services (Chartered Tax Practitioners and Business Advisers) based in Kaduna, Abuja, Niger State.

“Mr Muhammad has served and is still serving, on many companies’ Board and Statutory Board Audit Committees. He was appointed as a member, Presidential Committee on Audit of Recovered Stolen Assets in November 2017 by President Buhari. He is married with children.

“Chairman of FIRS, Babatunde Fowler, whose term of office expired on Monday, 9th December 2019 is expected to hand over to the most senior director on the board, who will take charge, pending the Senate confirmation of the new board.”

Babatunde Fowler, had written to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha, seeking for a second term before he was replaced on Monday by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Fowler wrote to Mustapha on the need to renew his tenure.

The letter, dated December 9, 2019, was titled: “Re: Notification of Expiration of Tenure as Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service.”

In the letter, Fowler wrote: “I write to notify the Secretary to the Government of the Federation that my first tenure as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) end today 9th of December, 2019.

“In view of the above, I wish to present myself for reappointment for a second term. This is consistent with the provisions of the FIRS Establishment Act 2007 and would grant me the opportunity to consolidate and build on the achievements we have recorded in the past 4 years.

“Please find attached the highlights of my achievements during my first tenure in office.

“I would like to put on record my gratitude to Mr. President for the opportunity to serve the Nation. I am also thankful for your support in the course of the discharge of my duties.”