Revealed: How Fowler Lobbied For Reappointment but was Shunned by Buhari

Details have emerged on how the immediate past Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Babatunde Fowler lobbied for reappointment for another term of four years but was shunned by president Muhammadu Buhari who instead appointed Muhammad Nami as his replacement.

In a letter titled, ‘Re: Notification of Expiration of Tenure as Executive Chairman,Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)’, dated December 9,2019, addressed to the Secretary of the Government of Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, which was personally signed by Fowler and leaked online, the former tax boss wrote that he is presenting himself for reappointment for second term in line with the provisions of the FIRS Act 2007. Fowler said a second term in office will afford him the opportunity to consolidate on his first term achievements.

See letter

The presidency had on Monday announced the appointment of Nami as the nation’s tax boss following the expiration of the tenure of Fowler on December 9. Nami’s appointment is subject to Senate’s confirmation. According to the statement by presidential spokesman, Shehu Garba, Fowler is to handover to the most senior officer at the FIRS.

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.

Nami 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. Nami has served and is still serving, on many companies’ Board and Statutory Board Audit Committees.

Nami was appointed a member, Presidential Committee on Audit of Recovered Stolen Assets in November 2017 by President Buhari.