Senate warns: Jobs meant for Nigerians shouldn’t be outsourced to expatriates

Senate

Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, chairman of the senate committee on local content, says the national assembly will not allow expatriates to take over jobs meant for Nigerians.

Thomas gave the assurance on Thursday during a courtesy visit to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja.

He said the committee is focused on enforcing the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act of 2010 and Presidential Executive Order No. 5, both of which are designed to prioritise local expertise across industries.

“We will not allow a situation where Nigerians become bystanders in their own economy,” Thomas said.

“Never again will jobs meant for our people be outsourced to expatriates. The committee is ready. The laws are on our side. What remains is resolve and partnership.”

He urged the NLC to partner with the senate in a national campaign to protect jobs and strengthen enforcement of local content laws.

Thomas noted that the committee supports President Bola Tinubu’s economic vision, including the newly launched Nigeria First Policy, which promotes job creation, workers’ welfare, and indigenous participation.

He said the dignity of labour and resilience of the economy are tied to the protection and prioritisation of Nigerian workers.

‘SUCCESSION PLANS MUST FAVOUR NIGERIANS’

Quoting Section 31(1) of the NOGICD Act, Thomas said: “For each of its operations, the operator shall submit to the Board a succession plan for any position not held by Nigerians… at the end of the four-year period, the position shall become Nigerianised.”

He stressed that compliance is not optional, adding that the law compels companies to provide clear roadmaps to ensure Nigerian takeover of roles from junior to executive level. Thecablr