Buhari Picks Nami to Replace Flowler as FIRS Chairman

By Adedapo Adesanya

Following the expiration of the tenure of the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr Babatunde Fowler, President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated Muhammad Nami as the new chief taxman for the second leg of his administration. However, the appointment of Mr Nami is subject to confirmation of the Senate.

On Monday, the President also approved a new board for the FIRS, which is also subject to confirmation of the upper chamber of the National Assembly. The board consists of members representing each of the six geopolitical zones and statutory representatives from a select number of ministries and government agencies.

In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, it was disclosed that Mr Nami is a well-trained tax, accounting and management professional with highly rated qualifications and professional practice and licenses from relevant professional bodies.

He replaces Mr Fowler, whose tenure expired on Monday. With Mr Fowler no longer at the helm of affairs, the most senior director on the board will take charge ahead of the senate confirmation of the new tax administrators.

Mr 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 Nami 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.

If he is confirmed by the Senate, he will replace Mr Fowler who held the office from August 20, 2015 till December 9, 2019.