Who is Zacch Adedeji? Meet the Chairman Leading Nigeria’s New Revenue Service (NRS)

As Nigeria officially transitions to the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), one man stands at the center of the storm: Dr. Zacch Adedeji.

Currently serving as the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), his journey from a first-class student to a Harvard-trained technocrat is a masterclass in fiscal leadership.

1. Early Life and “First-Class” Education

Born on January 8, 1978, in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Adedeji’s academic record is a signal of his technical precision.

He holds a National Diploma in Accountancy from Federal Polytechnic, Ede, and a Bachelor of Science in Management & Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), where he graduated with a First-Class honor.

He didn’t stop there; Adedeji holds both a Master’s and a PhD in Accounting from OAU, alongside an executive certification in Economic Development from the Harvard Kennedy School.

2. From Multinational Corporate Finance to Public Service

Before entering the public sector, Adedeji cut his teeth in the private world at Procter & Gamble (P&G).

At P&G, he served as the Corporate Finance Manager for West Africa and led the complex SAP Implementation Project, giving him deep insight into the digital automation he is now bringing to the NRS.

His transition to public service began in 2011 when he was appointed the Commissioner for Finance in Oyo State, making him one of the youngest to ever hold the position.

3. The Road to the NRS Chairmanship

Adedeji’s rise continued as the Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), where he established the Nigeria Sugar Institute.

Prior to his current role, he served as the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Revenue, a position that allowed him to design the blueprints for the 2026 tax reforms.

In September 2023, he was appointed to lead the agency (then FIRS), which has now fully transitioned into the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) under his watch.

4. The 2026 Vision: Efficiency and Integrity

Under Adedeji’s leadership, the NRS is moving toward a “Digital-First” era, prioritizing the removal of manual bottlenecks and multiple taxation.

With a 16-story headquarters now open in Abuja and a focus on taxing “prosperity rather than poverty,” the Chairman is steering Nigeria toward a ₦30 trillion revenue target.