These days, any mention of Babatunde Fowler, the hitherto upbeat former Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), leaves one in sighs. His is a narrative that is best told by an aged individual under the gentle moon, to a gathering of individuals whose stars are on the rise. Fowler’s stars, after all, were almost in the middle of the sky, until they fell to the ground. Who remembers the taxman now that he is a humble hermit?
Fowler is one of the least popular subjects of enquiry in Nigeria today. Folks are no longer interested in where he is, what he is doing, and his plans for the future. This is all the more peculiar considering that although the man’s business is his business — that much is true — his nest is too discreet an abode and too tempting a source of gist for many to resist. The man has become a conditional hermit, one who lives under the radar because he has to.
But hark, great things are on the horizon. According to recent reports, Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has recruited Fowler for its eight-member board of its Pan-African Oversight Committee. Alongside other individuals from South Africa, Ghana and Botswana, Fowler will be working in close quarters with the legislation to advise the different member nations of the African Union (AU).
Indeed, these are happy times for Fowler. Even the new appointment docks on his best points—accounting. Of course, he will always be known as a taxman. After all, before becoming the Chairman of the FIRS, the Lagosian had already made a name for himself as a tax administrator that assisted in the reforms that are currently in use in Lagos State. Thus, the new appointment is a virgin land for him to shine.
For two years, Fowler has been rusting, needing so much more than the reports of a visit from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) here, or an accusation of fraud and corruption there. Thus, the new prospects at the AU and PAP are a welcome break from the old narrative.
