CENTER FOR LAWS OF NIGERIA: FEDERAL LAWS
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Laws of the Nigerian Federation
NIGERIAN INVESTMENT PROMOTION COMMISSION ACT
Arrangement of Sections
Part I
Establishment of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission
1. | Establishment of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission. | 2. | Governing Council of the Commission. | 3. | Tenure of office, etc. |
Part II
Functions and powers
4. | Functions of the Commission. | 5. | Powers of the Commission. |
Part III
Staff
6. | Secretary of the Commission. | 7. | Other staff of the Commission, etc. | 8. | Staff regulations. |
9. | Conditions of service. | 10. | Pensions. | 11. | Departments of the Commission. |
Part IV
Financial provisions
12. | Fund of the Commission. | 13. | Power to accept gifts. | 14. | Borrowing power, etc. |
15. | Annual estimates, accounts and audit. | 16. | Annual reports. |
Part V
Provisions relating to investment
17. | Enterprises eligible for participation. | 18. | Application of this Act. | 19. | Establishment of an enterprise. |
20. | Registration of enterprise with the Commission. | 21. | Purchase of the shares of a domestic company by a foreign company. | 22. | Incentives for special investment. |
23. | Priority areas. | 24. | Investment guarantees, transfer of capital, profits, and dividends. | 25. | Guarantees against expropriation. |
26. | Dispute settlement procedures. | 27. | Assistance to enterprise. | 28. | Transitional provisions. |
29. | Repeal of Cap. 178 L.F.N. 1990, etc. | 30. | Regulations. | 31. | Interpretation. |
32. | Short title. |
Schedule: Supplementary Provisions Relating To the Council, Etc.
Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission Act
Laws of the Federation of Nigeria
CITATION
An Act to establish the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, to encourage and promote investment in the Nigerian economy; and for matters connected therewith.
COMMENCEMENT
16th January 1995
Part I
Establishment of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission
(1) There is hereby established a body to be known as the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (in this Act referred to as the “Commission”).
(2) The Commission shall be a body corporate, with perpetual succession and a common seal and may sue and be sued in its corporate name.
(1) There shall be for the Commission, a Governing Council (in this Act referred to as “the Council”), which shall be responsible for the discharge of the functions of the Commission.
(2) The Council shall consist of
(a) a chairman;
(b) a representative each of the following Federal Ministries, who shall not be below the rank of a Permanent Secretary
(i) Industry;
(ii) Commerce;
(iii) Internal Affairs;
(iv) Finance;
(v) Foreign Affairs;
(vi) Culture and Tourism;
(vii) Petroleum Resources;
(c) a representative of the National Planning Commission, who shall not be below the rank of a Permanent Secretary;
(d) the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria;
(e) six other persons from the private sector organizations to be appointed by the President, on the recommendation of the Minister;
(f) the secretary of the Commission, who shall also be the secretary to the Council;
(3) The chairman shall be appointed by the President.
(4) The supplementary provisions set out in the Schedule to this Act shall have effect with respect to the proceedings of the Council and the other matters contained therein.
(1) A member of the Council, other than the secretary, shall hold office for a term of four years and may be re-appointed for one further term of four years and no more.
(2) A member of the Council may at any time resign his office in writing addressed to the President and may be removed from office by the President.
(3) Members of the Council shall be paid such allowances as may be determined by the Federal Government.
Part II: Functions and powers
The Commission shall encourage, promote and coordinate investment in the Nigerian economy and accordingly, shall
(a) be the agency of the Federal Government to coordinate and monitor all investment promotion activities to which this Act applies;
(b) initiate and support measures which shall enhance the investment climate in Nigeria for both Nigerian and non-Nigerian investors;
(c) promote investments in and outside Nigeria through effective promotional means;
(d) collect, collate, analyze and disseminate information about investment opportunities and sources of investment capital, and advise on request, the availability, choice or suitability of partners in joint-venture projects;
(e) register and keep records of all enterprises to which this Act applies;
(f) identify specific projects and invite interested investors for participation in those projects;
(g) initiate, organize and participate in promotional activities, such as, exhibitions, conferences and seminars for the stimulation of investments;
(h) maintain liaison between investors and Ministries, Government departments and agencies, institutional lenders and other authorities concerned with investments;
(i) provide and disseminate up-to-date information on incentives available to investors;
(j) assist incoming and existing investors by providing support services;
(k) evaluate the impact of the Commission in investments in Nigeria and make appropriate recommendations;
(l) advise the Federal Government on policy matters, including fiscal measures designed to promote the industrialization of Nigeria or the general development of the economy;
(m) perform such other functions as are supplementary or incidental to the attainment of the objectives of this Act.
Powers of the Commission
(a) do all things which by this Act or any other enactment are required or permitted to be done by the Commission; and
(b) do such other things as are necessary or expedient for the performance of its functions under this Act.
Part III: Staff
(1) There shall be for the Commission a secretary, of a rank equivalent to a Permanent Secretary in the civil service of the Federation, who shall be the chief executive of the Commission and be appointed by the President, on the recommendation of the Minister.
(2) The secretary shall hold office for a term of five years in the first instance on such terms and conditions as the President, may, on the recommendation of the Minister, determine and may be re-appointed for one further term of five years and no more.
(3) Subject to such general directions as the Council may give, the secretary shall be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Council and the implementation of the decisions of the Council.
(4) The secretary shall perform the functions of keeping the record of proceedings and decisions of the Council and such other functions as the Council may, from time to time, direct.
(1) The Council shall have the power to appoint either on transfer or on secondment from any public service in the Federation, such number of employees as may, in the opinion of the Council, be required to assist the Commission in the discharge of any of its functions under this Act; and shall have power to pay to persons so employed, such remuneration (including allowances) as the Council may determine.
(2) The terms and conditions of service (including terms and conditions as to remuneration, allowances, pensions, gratuities and other benefits) of the persons employed by the Commission shall be as determined by the Council, from time to time.
(3) The Council may engage such consultants and advisers as it may require for the proper and efficient discharge of the functions of the Commission.
Staff regulations
(a) the appointment, promotion and disciplinary control (including dismissal) of employees of the Commission; and
(b) appeals by such employees against dismissal or other disciplinary measures.
Conditions of service
Pensions
(2 Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, nothing in this Act shall prevent the appointment of a person to any office on terms which preclude the grant of a pension or gratuity in respect of that office.
Departments of the Commission
Part IV: Financial provisions
Fund of the Commission
(2) There shall be paid and credited to the fund established pursuant to subsection (1) of this section
(a) such sums as may be provided by the Government of the Federation for the Commission;
(b) any fees charged for services rendered by the Commission; and
(c) all other sums accruing to the Commission by way of gifts, testamentary depositions, endowments and contributions from philanthropic persons and organizations or otherwise howsoever.
Power to accept gifts
(2) The Commission shall not accept any gift if the conditions attached by the person or organisation making the gift are inconsistent with the functions of the Commission.
Borrowing power, etc.
(2) The Council may, subject to the provisions of this Act and the conditions of any trust created in respect of any property, invest all or any of its funds with the like consent or general authority of the Minister.
(3) The Council may invest any surplus funds of the Commission in securities prescribed by the Trustee Investments Act or such other securities as may, from time to time, be approved by the Minister.
(4) Subject to the provisions of the Land Use Act, and any special or general direction which the Minister may give in that behalf, the Council may acquire or lease any land required for its purpose under this Act.
Annual estimates, accounts, and audit
(2) The Council shall cause to be kept proper accounts and proper records in relation thereto and when certified by the Council, such accounts shall be audited as provided in subsection (3) of this section.
(3) The accounts of the Commission shall be audited by auditors appointed from the list of auditors and in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Auditor-General for the Federation and the fees of the auditors and the expenses for the audit generally shall be paid from the funds of the Commission.
Annual reports
Part V: Provisions relating to investment
Enterprises eligible for participation
Application of this Act
Establishment of an enterprise
(2) Subject to this Act, nothing in this Act shall be construed as precluding an enterprise to which this Act applies, from obtaining such license, lease, permit or any other approval as may be required for the establishment or operation of the enterprise.
Registration of enterprise with the Commission
(2) The Commission shall, within fourteen working days from the date of receipt of completed registration forms, register the enterprise if it is satisfied that all relevant documents for registration have been duly completed and submitted or otherwise advise the applicant, accordingly.
Purchase of the shares of a domestic company by a foreign company
Incentives for special investment
Priority areas
(2) Guidelines and procedures issued under subsection (1) of this section shall be signified under the hand of the chairman of the Council.
Subject to this section, a foreign investor in an enterprise to which this Act applies shall be guaranteed unconditional transferability of funds through an authorized dealer, in freely convertible currency, of—
(a) dividends or profits (net of taxes) attributable to the investment;
(b) payments in respect of loan servicing where a foreign loan has been obtained; and
(c) the remittance of proceeds (net of all taxes), and other obligations in the event of a sale or liquidation of the enterprise or any interest attributable to the investment.
Guarantees against expropriation
(a) no enterprise shall be nationalized or expropriated by any Government of the Federation; and
(b) no person who owns, whether wholly or in part, the capital of any enterprise shall be compelled by law to surrender his interest in the capital to any other person.
(2) There shall be no acquisition of an enterprise to which this Act applies by the Federal Government unless the acquisition is in the national interest or for a public purpose and under a law which makes provision for
(a) payment of fair and adequate compensation; and
(b) a right of access to the courts for the determination of the investor’s interest or right and the amount of compensation to which he is entitled.
(3) Any compensation payable under this section shall be paid without undue delay, and authorization for its repatriation in convertible currency shall where applicable, be issued.
Dispute settlement procedures
(2) Any dispute between an investor and any Government of the Federation in respect of an enterprise to which this Act applies which is not amicably settled through mutual discussions may be submitted at the option of the aggrieved party to arbitration as follows—
(a) in the case of a Nigerian investor, in accordance with the rules of procedure for arbitration as specified in the Arbitration and Conciliation Act; or
(b) in the case of a foreign investor, within the framework of any bilateral or multilateral agreement on investment protection to which the Federal Government and the country of which the investor is a national are parties; or
(c) in accordance with any other national or international machinery for the settlement of investment, disputes agreed on by the parties.
(3) Where in respect of any dispute, there is disagreement between the investor and the Federal Government as to the method of dispute settlement to be adopted, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes Rules shall apply.
Assistance to enterprise
Transitional provisions
Repeal of Cap. 178 L.F.N. 1990, etc.
(2) Any approval granted under the enactment repealed under subsection (1) of this section, shall continue to be in force notwithstanding the repeal of the enactment.
Regulations
(a) providing for anything requiring to be prescribed under this Act; and
(b) generally for carrying out the principles and objectives of this Act.
(2) Any instrument issued under subsection (1) of this section shall be under the signature of the chairman of the Council or any other officer of the Commission as may be designated by him.
Interpretation
“Authorised dealer” has the meaning assigned to it under the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act;
“Capital” means all cash contributions, plant, machinery, equipment, building, spare parts, raw materials and other business assets, other than goodwill;
“Commission” means the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission established under section 1 of this Act;
“Council” means the Governing Council established for the Commission under section 2 (1) of this Act;
“Enterprise” means an industry, project, undertaking or business to which this Act applies or an expansion of that industry, undertaking, project or business or any part of that industry, undertaking, project or business and, where there is foreign participation, means such an enterprise duly registered with the Commission;
“Foreign capital” means convertible currency, plant, machinery, equipment, spare parts, raw materials and other business assets, other than goodwill, that are brought into Nigeria with no initial disbursement of Nigerian foreign exchange and are intended for the production of goods and services related to an enterprise to which this Act applies;
“Foreign loan” means a loan obtained from outside Nigeria and denominated in any convertible currency;
“Investment” means investment made to acquire an interest in an enterprise operating within and outside the economy of Nigeria;
“Minister” means the Minister charged with responsibility for matters relating to industry;
“Negative list” means the list of those sectors of investment prohibited to both foreign and Nigerian investors, that is
(a) production of arms, ammunition, etc.;
(b) production of and dealing in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances;
(c) production of military and para-military wears and accouterment, including those of the Police and the Customs, Immigration and Prison Services; and
(d) such other items as the Federal Executive Council may, from time to time, determine;
“Own” in relation to an enterprise, includes the holding of any proprietary interest in the enterprise;
“Portfolio investment” means an investment in shares or other securities traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
Short title
Schedule: Supplementary Provisions relating to the Council, e.t.c
Proceedings of the Council
(2) The quorum of the Council shall be five members, including the chairman or, in his absence, the person elected to preside, and three other members from the public sector and the quorum of any committee of the Council shall be determined by the Council.
(2) At any meeting of the Council the chairman shall preside, but if he is absent, the members present at the meeting shall elect one of their number to preside at that meeting.
(3) Where the Council desires to obtain the advice of any person on a particular matter, the Council may co-opt him to the Council for such period as it thinks fit; but a person who is in attendance by virtue of this subparagraph shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting of the Council and shall not count towards a quorum.
(4) The decision of the Council shall be by simple majority.
Committees
(2) A committee appointed under this paragraph shall consist of such number of persons (not necessarily members of the Council), as may be determined by the Council; and a person other than a member of the Council shall hold office on the committee, in accordance with the terms of his appointment.
(3) A decision of a committee of the Council shall be of no effect until it is confirmed by the Council.
Miscellaneous
(2) Any contract or instrument which, if made or executed by a person not being a body corporate, would not be required to be under seal may be made or executed on behalf of the Commission by the chairman or any person specially authorised to act for that purpose by the Council.
(3 Any document purporting to be a document duly executed under the seal of the Commission shall be received in evidence and shall, unless and until the contrary is proved, be presumed to be so executed.
Subsidiary Legislation
No Subsidiary Legislation