ZACCH ADEDEJI’S FIRS: A breath of dynamism into Nigeria’s apex revenue collection agency
ZACCH ADEDEJI’S FIRS: A breath of dynamism into Nigeria’s apex revenue collection agency
The Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji comes to Nigeria’s apex revenue collection agency with a lot of expectations judging by his youthfulness, cerebral vibrancy and dynamism. Until his present appointment as the helmsman of the FIRS, he was Special Adviser to the President on Revenue.
An astute accountant, corporate tax and public finance development expert, the 45-year old Iwo Ate, Oyo State-born technocrat comes to the FIRS with loaded credentials.
Dr Zacch Adedeji was a one-term Commissioner for Finance in Oyo State, between 2011 and 2015.
He led a team of less than 50 personnel to institute a Medium-Term Financial (MTF) strategy for the overall framework of Financial and Budgetary management of Oyo state.
He was Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC).
The fact that Dr Adedeji’s appointment as the Acting Executive Chairman of the FIRS is the second under the new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu speaks volumes about his rich pedigree and capacity.
As stated, he was first appointed as the Special Adviser to the President on Revenue Generation in July 2023. He succeeded Niger State-born Mr Muhammad Nami who assumed office in December 2019 and held sway at the Service until Adedeji’s appointment.
FAMILY BIODATA
Zacch Adedeji was born into a Christian family on January 8th, 1978 at Iwo Ate, Ogo-Oluwa local government area in Oyo State, Southwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria.
He was brought up in line with Yoruba and Christian moral ethics and code of conduct. He grew up in his ancestral community, Iwo-Ate. His family was renowned for being successful in the cocoa industry.
He is married with children.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Zacch A. Adedeji is from Oyo State. He holds a first-class degree in Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
He proceeded to have a Masters degree in Accounting from the same institution. He didn’t stop there as his quest for more knowledge led him to obtain a PhD in Public Sector Finance at the same institution.
He holds a certificate in Comparative Tax Policy and Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, US.
He is a Fellow of ICAN and CITN.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER
Adedeji had an impressive career trajectory. He worked at Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) later becoming a Manager.
With over 15 years experience in corporate accounting, public service administration and public service advisory,
he served as a Commissioner for Finance, in Oyo State from 2011 to 2015 under Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration.
He later occupied the position of Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC).
His tenure in Oyo State was marked by significant achievements, including spearheading a team of fewer than 50 individuals to establish a Medium-Term Financial (MTF) strategy that enhanced the overall framework of financial and budgetary management in the state.
This strategy led to financial reporting excellence, resulting in sustainable growth in cash flow for recurrent and capital expenditures, including the timely funding of the construction of over 200 roads and bridges, as well as road repairs across the 33 Local Governments.
Notable accomplishments also include the implementation of a minimum wage increase from N7,500 to N19,000 and the addition of a 13th-month salary for civil servants in the state.
Additionally, his efforts resulted in annual budgetary savings of N7.2 billion through state finance process efficiencies.
During his tenure, he maintained a record of not incurring new state debt and reduced the state’s debt exposure by 50%.
Beyond his public service, Mr. Adedeji is the co-founder and managing partner of RTR, a financial consulting firm that offers financial advisory and policy development services to public administrators and private institutions in West Africa.
