Opinion

The Untiring FIRS Boss

Published

4 months ago

January 24, 2025

By Arabinrin Aderonke

When I ventured into the office to see the tax boss, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, I was met with an unexpected sight. He was wearing a face cap, a T-shirt, and jeans. It was the first time I had seen him dressed so casually during official hours, and I couldn’t help but smile and think, “This is so unlike him.” But before I could ask, I learned he was heading out for an inspection of the ongoing construction of the FIRS headquarters. This is the Dr. Zacch, we know, very demure, very mindful, and always prepared to take action.

The Tax Boss is not your regular chairman. Since his first day in office, he has been on the move, handling one responsibility after another with so much energy. It’s no wonder he was casually dressed; he was ready to dive into the work at hand. The construction of the FIRS Headquarters is a long-awaited project. It has been on the agenda of the agency for over 20 years but has experienced delays and setbacks. Dr. Zacch is now ready to ensure its completion during his tenure. His hands-on attitude is clear in everything he does, and the inspection was no different.

When Dr. Zacch arrived at the site. He didn’t just walk about; he inspected every detail with the seriousness of a man on a mission. He was interested in the structural design, material quality, and even project timeframes. It was clear that he wasn’t just there for the appearance; he wanted to make sure everything was in order.

The Tax Boss spoke to the engineers and workers, saying, “Let’s hurry up and get this done.”Together, we will scale through.” His energy was contagious, and you could see the workers feeling motivated by his presence.

And, yes, we are just a few weeks into 2025, but Dr. Zacch is showing workings. FIRS’s momentum is at an all-time high, and the agency will move back-to-back again this year. Every decision, visit, and action is aimed at transforming the FIRS into Nigeria’s tax administration powerhouse.

Dr. Zacch sets an example for public servants everywhere, demonstrating that leadership is about action, not just words. This visit was eye-opening for me, as it demonstrated what true leadership entails: rolling up your sleeves, putting in the effort where it matters most, and staying involved at all times.

FIRS is an unstoppable agency in Nigeria. The new headquarters represents a vision for the future and a commitment to transforming the agency. It will stand as a testament to FIRS’ efficiency, transparency, and progress.

The next time you hear someone mention Dr. Zacch Adedeji (Tax Boss), think beyond his everyday suits or sometimes casual outfits (t-shirt and jeans) while inspecting projects. Think of a leader who is proactive in his quest for excellence, committed to changing the tax system, and who prioritizes taxpayers in Nigeria. He is a man building the foundation for a stronger and more efficient system that will benefit all Nigerians.

Arabinrin Aderonke is the technical assistant on broadcast media to the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

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Featured

Tax Reform Bill Passage: New Tax Laws, Better Nigeria

Published

4 weeks ago

May 9, 2025

The Gleamer

By Arabinrin Aderonke

Nigeria must work; this is the vision we have held onto for so long. When the news came that the Senate had passed all four tax reform bills, it was one of those moments you stop and ask yourself, is this really happening? For years, Nigeria’s tax system has been a source of frustration, something we all got used to criticizing. Truthfully, it was not just tax. From electricity to education to healthcare, we have long complained about the failure of government systems.

On top of that, Nigeria remained tied to the unstable global oil market, leaving us with unpredictable revenue and a shrinking ability to fund our future. That is exactly why we must keep believing in the idea of a new Nigeria. And this time, it is not just another round of promises, this is action.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu understood that to truly rebuild Nigeria, we needed a tax system that would create sustainable revenue, spread the burden fairly, and give every Nigerian, rich or poor, north or south, a reason to trust government again. That is what led to the introduction of the tax reform bills in 2024. It has taken months of serious policy work, consultation, and courage. Now, with the National Assembly passing all four bills, the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Nigeria Tax Administration (Procedure) Bill 2024, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill 2024, and the Joint Tax Board (Establishment) Bill 2024, we are seeing decisions that could finally loosen Nigeria’s dependence on oil and give states the resources they need to grow.

One of the features is the new VAT sharing formula. Under the proposed structure, 50 percent of Value Added Tax revenue will be shared equally among all states, 20 percent will be distributed based on population, and 30 percent will be distributed according to actual consumption. It is a formula designed to balance fairness with performance, giving each state a stake while also encouraging economic activity and good governance.

The Senate also made it known that the VAT rate will remain at 7.5 percent, resisting pressure to increase it. For Nigerians, that means no new burden added to goods and services. But more importantly, the bills approved also provided for the continued funding of development agencies such as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). These are the institutions that support learning, research, and innovation across the country, and their survival is necessary for the future of the Nigeria we all want.

Another part of the bill is the plan to turn the Federal Inland Revenue Service into the Nigeria Revenue Service (Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill). But this is not just a name change. It is a coordinated effort to build a system that supports states, strengthens local government revenue, and makes tax collection more transparent.

Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of FIRS, has led the redesign of the agency and introduced many measures aimed at improving tax collection across the country, and even these Tax Reform Bills are one. If anyone has earned respect in this space, it is him. His work shows that reforms are possible when people in charge are ready to do better.

As it stands, all four tax reform bills have been passed, and these laws are now in place. This means Nigeria has completed what many consider the most needed tax reform in years.

The process now moves to the harmonization stage, where both the Senate and House of Representatives will come together to resolve any differences in their versions of the bills. Once they reach an agreement, the bills will be sent to the President for his final approval. After the President signs them into law, they will be published in the official gazette, making them official. From there, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, which will be renamed the Nigeria Revenue Service, will take the lead in implementation. With the capable Tax Boss, Dr. Zacch, we can be sure that the results will exceed expectations.

This is the Renewed Hope Nigerians have been waiting for. The changes are here, these reforms give us the chance to do things right!

Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi is the technical assistant on broadcast media to the executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service

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