On Friday, Femi Gbajabiamila tweeted that he proposed a law to restrict the employment of foreigners in Nigeria, where a Nigerian was qualified.
@femigbaja Proposes Law to Restrict Foreigners from Securing Employment in Fields where a Nigerian is qualified pic.twitter.com/sP2NvP5oTS
— Femi Gbajabiamila (@femigbaja) July 14, 2016
However, it would seem that the problem he is trying to solve has already been solved, and the degree of enforcement is the issue.
Knock yourself out https://t.co/JiTXLSHjjU
— tyro (@DoubleEph) July 14, 2016
It is actually applied. Gbaja is just throwing red meat to da yoot. https://t.co/fZ34IttwgP
— tyro (@DoubleEph) July 14, 2016
Aside from that, a number of other very valid objections were raised…
It did have its supporters, however.
https://twitter.com/bolu_oj/status/753678039138111488
I read a recent interview you'd granted and you'd promised some serious bills from yourself, this definitely falls in line, kudos
— Spartacus (@egun_aboki) July 14, 2016
maximum respect for you Hon… 🙏🙏🙏
— Mattiaz (@aademola01) July 14, 2016
And someone even offered to volunteer to help.
Oga sir,
If you need any help putting this bill through. Lemme know: any help at all. And I don't want any benefit in return.
— D…. (@DapoSanwo) July 14, 2016
Then there is this thread of tweets to consider
https://twitter.com/Akin_d/status/753653251552280576
https://twitter.com/Akin_d/status/753653367143104512
https://twitter.com/Akin_d/status/753653502312869888
https://twitter.com/Akin_d/status/753653871168327680
https://twitter.com/Akin_d/status/753654003922243584
https://twitter.com/Akin_d/status/753654147954667520
https://twitter.com/Akin_d/status/753654230439821312
https://twitter.com/Akin_d/status/753654887557267457
https://twitter.com/Akin_d/status/753655000333750272
https://twitter.com/Akin_d/status/753655305444220928
As well as the fact that Nigeria has bigger problems, like these three.
why not develop our education system and make it an easier environment for entrepreneurs? Why not review the tax code? 3/
— TA (@therealthandek) July 14, 2016
Then there is the issue of treaties Nigeria has already signed, and this proposal will affect them.
plus we are signatory to regional & continental treaties (such as ECOWAS) that allow free trade across regional borders
— Ilemona (@I_Am_Ilemona) July 14, 2016
It brought this response from the lawmaker.
a difference btw free trade and gainful salaried employmnt. Sec n welfare of its citizens is the prim purpose of govt
— Femi Gbajabiamila (@femigbaja) July 15, 2016
Such a bill should attract far more debate than it has up to now, because of the potentially far reaching implications. Apart from the fact that I think it will cause more harm than good to Nigeria, the country has far more important needs than this kind of law, especially as many of our young people do not have the skills needed to compete in the workplace. That should be the priority, and I would love to see Mr. Gbajabiamila move his efforts in this direction, instead of reverting to the easy way out of banning and restrictions.
