In a significant development within the Nigerian financial sector, Mr. Zacch A. Adedeji has assumed the role of Acting Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Mr. Adedeji’s appointment comes on the heels of his notable tenure as the Special Adviser on Revenue to the President.
Academic Excellence
Zacch A. Adedeji, hailing from Oyo State, boasts an impressive academic background. He holds a coveted first-class degree in Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and furthered his education at the same institution, securing a Masters degree in Accounting. His insatiable quest for knowledge eventually led him to earn a PhD in Public Sector Finance from the same institution.
In addition to his domestic academic pursuits, Mr. Adedeji holds a prestigious certificate in Comparative Tax Policy and Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He is also a distinguished Fellow of both ICAN (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria) and CITN (Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria).
A Stellar Career
Mr. Adedeji’s career trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable. Beginning his professional journey at the Procter & Gamble Company (P&G), he steadily climbed the corporate ladder to the position of Manager. His transition into public service saw him serve as Commissioner for Finance in Oyo State during the years spanning 2011 to 2015, under the administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
A pivotal moment in his career was his role as the Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC). During his tenure, Mr. Adedeji made significant strides in Oyo State, where he led a team of fewer than 50 individuals to establish a Medium-Term Financial (MTF) strategy. This strategy revamped the state’s financial and budgetary management framework, leading to financial reporting excellence. Consequently, it resulted in sustainable growth in cash flow for both recurrent and capital expenditures. Notable accomplishments under his leadership included the timely funding of the construction of over 200 roads and bridges, as well as extensive road repairs spanning the 33 Local Governments.
Mr. Adedeji’s dedication to public service extended to the welfare of civil servants in Oyo State, as he successfully implemented a minimum wage increase from N7,500 to N19,000. He also introduced a 13th-month salary for civil servants, significantly enhancing their financial well-being. His innovative approaches resulted in annual budgetary savings of N7.2 billion through state finance process efficiencies. Remarkably, during his tenure, Oyo State maintained a clean record of not incurring new state debt and reduced its debt exposure by an impressive 50%.
Beyond his contributions to public service, Mr. Adedeji co-founded and now serves as the managing partner of RTR, a financial consulting firm specializing in providing financial advisory and policy development services to public administrators and private institutions across West Africa.
With this illustrious background, Mr. Zacch A. Adedeji’s appointment as Acting Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is met with high expectations. His blend of academic prowess and practical experience positions him well to steer the agency toward greater heights in revenue generation and fiscal policy implementation.
