Senate goes against expatriates as c’ttee empowers Nigerians, closes wage gaps
27 February 2025 |
1:39 am
Senate Committee on Local Content has issued a bold call to action that Nigerians must take control of their industries. Speaking at the inaugural meeting after he was appointed to replace Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content,
Senate Committee on Local Content has issued a bold call to action that Nigerians must take control of their industries. Speaking at the inaugural meeting after he was appointed to replace Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Thomas Onowakpo outlined the committee’s aggressive push to ensure local talent, businesses and industries are prioritised over foreign interests.
He warned against the continued reliance on expatriates in key sectors such as oil and gas, construction and manufacturing, stressing that Nigerians must be trained and empowered to lead.
“It is unacceptable that Nigerians are employed in industries where expatriates dominate leadership roles, yet receive little to no training. We must break this cycle and equip our people with the skills to take charge,” he declared.
To achieve this, the committee is demanding compliance from international oil companies (IOCs), pushing for the expansion of local training institutions, and working closely with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to curb the abuse of work permits.
Another pressing issue is the wage disparity between expatriates and local workers. Onowakpo criticised the unfair system where foreigners earn significantly higher salaries for the same roles. The committee is set to introduce policies that ensure equal pay for same work.
“We are here to defend the interests of Nigerians. If foreign companies want to operate here, they must invest in our people, train them and treat them fairly,” Onowakpo stated.
The committee also plans to intensify oversight on the Nigerian Content Development Fund, ensuring that funds meant for local empowerment do not get mismanaged or diverted.
With a renewed sense of urgency, Onowakpo urged fellow lawmakers to support the mission, adding: “This is not just about policy; it is about national economic survival. We must act now.”
Other members of the committee, who spoke in the same vein, included Prof Anthony Ani, Rufai Hanga and Habib Mustapha, who vowed to tackle salary disparities, expand training opportunities and ensure fair employment practices for Nigerians working in key industries.
“We need to monitor work permits more closely to prevent unfair job allocations,” a committee member insisted. To ensure effective oversight, the committee proposed: clearly defining its scope and objective members emphasised the urgent need to reduce foreign dependency and empower Nigerians through structured training programmes.
They cited historical examples where industries such as railways, mining, and oil and gas established training institutions, arguing that modern companies should be required to do the same.
“It is unacceptable that Nigerians are employed in industries dominated by expatriates but receive little to no training,” a committee member stated. “If we continue this way, we will always be dependent on foreign expertise. This must change.”
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