Opinion

The Untiring FIRS Boss

Published

2 years 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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Opinion

RE: BLAIR “HAS QUESTIONS TO ANSWER” OVER SUPPORT FOR BRITAIN WHILE ADVISING NIGERIA

Published

2 days ago

October 20, 2026

The Gleamer

(A rejoinder to Gordon Rayner’s article of October 18,2026 in the Telegraph, UK
By Kehinde Bamigbetan
After reading this article, particularly the denials from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change and the Federal Government of Nigeria, one is bound to question the editorial judgment that gives this piece any value.

In short, what did Gordon Rainer set out to do with this publication? Put a shine on Jupiter’s false and thoroughly empty narrative? Set up a former Prime Minister for blackmail and opprobrium? Or revive a dead case before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes?

Whichever, Rainer presents propositions which swallow their answers. His first argument that Blair might have undermined British national security interests is contradicted by the disclosure that the TBI has no contract to advise the Federal Government of Nigeria.

His second argument, that Jupiter was denied the execution of its licence, is contradicted by the fact that the company is unknown under Nigerian law. Rainer then admits knowing this fact and introduces the company as Jupiter’s partners.

For clarity and the benefit of his readers, these companies—Basin Mining Limited and Range Mining Limited—lost their licences for failing to pay annual service fees. Basin, for instance, owes N1,223,750,000, about £691,368.

The licences were revoked after the companies ignored several notices to fulfil their contractual obligations to the Nigerian Mining Cadastral Office. Penalties for non-payment are increasing daily, and the legal process to recover the funds is underway.

Rather than rescue its partners by paying their fees and penalties or allow the international settlement court to determine its case, Jupiter has mounted an international self-help campaign of calumny and economic sabotage against the government and people of Nigeria, using methods that threaten Nigeria’s security and diplomatic interests.

We believe Rainer is its latest innocent recruit, hoodwinked into propagating a false narrative by appealing to British national security interests when, in fact, Jupiter’s partners are, under Nigerian law, economic and security risks whose continued defiance of Nigeria’s laws endangers centuries of Britain-Nigeria relations.

The question Rainer should ask: if, indeed, Jupiter has a cast-iron case, why is it shedding crocodile tears and shopping for sympathy with false pretences and narratives?

Let’s give the clue: Jupiter’s promoter, Steve Davis, has leeched on Nigeria’s presidents since 1999 by pretending to be an international mining expert, and he has acquired an ego and assets far out of proportion to his financial and technical status.
He is so comfortable living above the law in Nigeria that compliance with regulatory provisions is a taboo, an affront to his bloated ego as a self-deluded “founder of Nigeria’s modern mining sector.”

Davis had a good time living his ego until Dele Alake became Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development in August 2023 and immediately launched a clean-up of the sector focused on zero-tolerance for non-compliance with the provisions of the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Law 2007, a law that Davis boasts he contributed to making and should set an example by encouraging compliance.

The Minister was shocked that the Nigerian Mining Cadastre had a huge amount of unpaid statutory fees despite the government’s investment in the Electronic Mining Cadastre Plus (EMC+) automation, which digitised the licensing process and upgraded services to the mining sector.

In line with the law, the minister ensured debtors were duly notified, and defaulters duly gazetted before revoking their licences for flouting the regulation on the payment of annual service fees.

In November 2023, the minister revoked at least 1,663 licences, a decision that showed it was no longer business as usual under the new sheriff in town.

To show the government has a human face, it opened a three-month restitution window to address complaints and feedback indicating cases of extenuating circumstances.

But still basking in the euphoria of an ego that has outlived its era, Davis discouraged his partners from taking advantage of these opportunities for remorse. Instead, he threatened to exploit his global networks to frustrate the Federal Government of Nigeria.

He wasn’t joking. He launched a global disinformation campaign from his native Australia to Canada, from the United States to Europe. However, his lies evaporated as soon as the facts were laid bare.

Davis pulled his most ambitious stunt so far during Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s official visit to the United Kingdom in March this year, when he polluted the air with narratives designed to set Nigeria against the West by spreading blatant falsehoods and playing the victim.

But, as he found out to his misery, the whole public relations game was dead on arrival. A comprehensive statement clarifying the issues to the highly intelligent British media sent him into the cold.

All we ask is that journalists refer to the eternal maxim of the journalism profession whenever Davis knocks on their door: if in doubt, leave it out.

When a story like this betrays so many contradictions, the rule is not to encourage its spread. Every responsible journalist has the moral duty to kill it.

Kehinde Bamigbetan is a Journalist and Special Adviser to Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Federal Republic of Nigeria

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