New Lease of Life for Babatunde Fowler at 65
Babatunde Fowler, a name that has become synonymous with taxes and revenue in Nigeria, has been a recurrent figure amongst Nigeria’s high fliers in recent times. On August 12, he clocked 65. Having walked through the valley of the shadow of all kinds of threats to freedom and dignity, the man remains a regal character eager for the next corporate adventure.
Fowler is one of those Nigerians that have experienced it all. From the heights of acclaim to the depths of rejection, the man has lived through a bit more than one with his status is usually exposed to. But one can only conclude regarding Fowler that even at 65, his spirit is neither dimmed nor daunted.
Many people only know that Fowler was the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) between 2015 and 2019. Others know that before this time, he was the CEO of the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue since 2005. However, there is more to the man than these.
Born in Lagos, Fowler grew up under the tutelage of his parents and a prestigious lineage of academics. Being quick-witted, he runs with genius minds like the Vice President’s, Yemi Osinbajo. Nevertheless, Fowler made his path: attended Igbobi College in Lagos, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the United States of America, and earned himself a BSc in Economics and a minor in Political Science. Thereafter, he obtained a second BSc at the California State University, Los Angeles, and then an MBA at the California State University, Dominguez Hills. These paved a path of boundless potential for him.
Asides his sound academic background, he has distinguished himself on the platter of tax-revenue. His knowledge of banking came in handy. Still, it is with taxes and revenues that Fowler came to be known as an exceptional character. Unfortunately, he could not remain FIRS Chairman for another four years after the first tenure. Notwithstanding, his new gig with the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) of the African Union (AU) is as good a promotion as any.