Celebrating the Doyen of Revolution in NRS @ 4

BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF

The dawn of a new era beclouded the Nigeria Revenue Service, NRS with the appointment of Dr Zach Adedeji by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to man the activities of the then Federal Inland Revenue Service,FIRS, now Nigeria Revenue Service, NRS in 2023.

Zach Adedeji born in Ogbomosho, Oyo State clocked 48 years on Thursday, 8th January, 2025, a day earmarked for the commemoration of his Birthday.

A one time Commissioner for Finance in Oyo State under late Senator Abiola Ajimobi’s administration and later apponted as Executive Secretary, Nigeria Sugar Development Council, NSDC before the current appointment.

The NRS chairman played a leading roles in managing the economy of the state for consecutive years that earned him wider recognition and national appointment.

While at the Nigeria Sugar Development Council NSDC,the NRS chairman also established the National Sugar Institute, MSI, that institutionalized the quest to achieve greater heights in sugar production in Nigeria and the global world.

Before then, Dr Zach Adedeji played an advisory roles to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Revenue , were his short stint was deemed fit for subsequent appointment, looking at the roles he played in the private and public sector of the economy.

Armed with the dual experiences, Zach no doubt brought his wealth of experience to NRS, that ensured full and uninterrupted digitisation of all facets of NRS.

With congratulatory messages pouring from all walks of life , including President Tinubu who commended Adedeji’s sterling leadership of the 83-year-old revenue agency.

“The introduction of fresh ideas, the adoption of global best practices, the automation of systems, and the up skilling of staff members for the greater good of the nation.”

According to Nigeria’s President..

“I salute the NRS Chairman for his visionary and charismatic dedication in restructuring, aligning and managing the revenue profile of the country. ”

The President further stated ..

“He recorded a historic achievement, meeting the budget targets in the Third Quarter of 2025, and stimulating the economy for prosperity. ”

“Zach has also been instrumental in the adoption of the National Single Window,NSW, established a transformative federal digital platform to streamline import and export processes, enhance transparency and reduce cargo clearance as well as mop up government revenues into one irreversible coffers managed by the NRA.” President Tinubu stated.

Aside the regulatory and enforcement efforts at the NRS, the National Single Window NSW arrangement will not only reduce sharp practices, but engender transparency and accountability in government activities and revenue generations .

As the sole collector of National Revenue Agency ,NRA, Dr Adedeji has achieved over eight decades administrative bottlenecks that had discouraged smooth remittances of government revenues as at when due.

In line with the new tax laws taken off in January, 2026, indicated that NRS remained the single collector and custodian of government revenues.

These had increased the regulatory roles and will rejig the NRS staffers under Dr Zach Adedeji to be alive to their responsibility.

The four Acts are: the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; the National Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025 and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act, 2025.

As the NRS is now the sole agency responsible for the assessment and collection of various federal revenues, including those previously managed by the NCS, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and other agencies of government, Ministries, Departments inline with the new regulations and policy thrust of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, RHA.

The new tax laws is the brain child of the Zach Adedeji led NRS, after inculcating the tax reform leadership, Taiwo Oyedele.

Taiwo Oyedele, who heads the tax reform committee, recently said that without decisive reform, macroeconomic stability would remain fragile, undermining long-term growth prospects.

As Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Oyedele has been a key voice explaining the changes.

He insisted the new laws were structured to eliminate multiple taxation and protect small businesses, noting that unauthorised levies were explicitly prohibited and would be sanctioned.

He continued to highlight provisions to exempt small companies from major taxes and reduce corporate rates, aiming to rejig taxation in Nigeria.

Section 4 of the Nigeria Revenue Service, NRS (Establishment) Act says that: ‘NRS shall collate and continually review all policies of the government relating to taxation and revenue generation and undertake a systematic and progressive implementation of such policies., which is the brain child of Dr Zach Adedeji’

Also, sub-section (q) tasked the service with the issuance of a taxpayer identification or any other equivalent identity to every relevant taxable person in collaboration with the tax authorities of states or local governments or the joint revenue board, JRB.

While the administration of President Bola Tinubu insisted the new framework was critical to stabilizing among others, Zach in NRS is determined to achieve results and part of his Initiatives.

He said: “The new tax laws clearly prohibit multiple taxation and unauthorised levies by any tier of government… Any agency acting outside the law is doing so illegally and will be sanctioned.”

While Zach and Oyedele and other notable tax experts speak from a policy perspective that reform was inevitable,so as to protect government revenues with a view to improving services , infrastructural development among many others.

For Adedeji, aside the major reforms in NRS through massive automation of it’s activities, no doubt he will leave an indelible marks on the massive ongoing transformation in the service.

As you mark the 48th Birthday, we prayed for many more years in the service to your fatherland and continuous community development.

Happy birthday and wishing you many more years sir, Congratulations.

Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.

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