Fowler Bows Out As FIRS Boss

By Akinwale Kasali

Babatunde Fowler, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, will today pass the baton of leadership to another person, as the Presidency has failed to give him a nod for another term in office.

Fowler’s reign in the saddle came to an end yesterday, Sunday 8th December, 2019, after assuming office on August 20th, 2015.

The former Lagos Internal Revenue Service, LIRS, Chairman, before he was appointed to the Federal parastatal, was a classmate to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

The failure to give Fowler a second term in office is still a surprise as he was deemed to have been doing well on the job.

The FIRS Establishment Act stipulates that the Executive Chairman of the FIRS should be appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by the Senate, and he can serve two terms, only.

On December 9th, 2015, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Fowler, though, he had started carrying out his duty as the FIRS boss since August 2015, before the Senate confirmation in December 2015.

The magazine gathered that Fowler will handover to a Senior Director in the agency.

Speculations is, however, rife that the outgoing FIRS boss may handover to Coordinating Director Tax Group, Abiodu. Aina, who was also Special Adviser to Fowler when he was in the saddle.