The recent call by a group identifying itself as the Arewa Consultative Youth Movement for the suspension and investigation of the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, raises more questions than it answers. In a period when Nigeria faces profound economic challenges, it is curious that a body supposedly concerned with national progress has chosen to target the one institution that has consistently delivered measurable results.
More troubling is the absence of any specific allegation. The group did not name an offence, cite evidence, or establish wrongdoing. Instead, it issued a vague, ambiguous statement built around innuendo. Such an approach makes clear that this is not an act of patriotism but a sponsored campaign aimed at distracting a key figure in Nigeria’s economic recovery efforts.
At the centre of the storm is a technocrat whose performance is both documented and publicly verifiable. The question, therefore, is simple: Who is afraid of Zacch Adedeji?
Record Revenue Performance
Under Dr. Adedeji’s leadership, FIRS has delivered the highest revenue figures in Nigeria’s history. In 2023, the Service collected ₦12.36 trillion, surpassing its target and setting a new national milestone. This performance was exceeded in 2024, with collections reaching over ₦21.6 trillion, far above the revenue benchmark for the year.
Cumulatively, between 2023 and 2025, FIRS mobilised ₦47.39 trillion, representing more than 115% of its combined revenue targets. These numbers widely published across reputable financial platforms demonstrate not just improved collection but renewed fiscal discipline within the Service.
Digital Transformation and Modernised Tax Administration
One of Adedeji’s most significant achievements is the modernisation of Nigeria’s tax administration system. The upgrade of TaxProMax automated the majority of tax processes, reducing human interference and simplifying compliance for individuals and businesses alike.
Additionally, the introduction of the 829# USSD tax service made Nigeria the first African country to allow taxpayers to access essential tax services through basic mobile phones. The rollout of the National Single Window Project also integrated tax, customs, and port functions, improving trade efficiency and creating new pathways for improved revenue generation.
Expansion of the Tax Base
FIRS under Adedeji aggressively expanded the tax net by focusing on SMEs and informal-sector businesses traditionally outside the formal tax system. Through digital tools, taxpayer education, and simplified registration processes, thousands of new taxpayers were onboarded, broadening Nigeria’s revenue base and reducing dependence on oil.
Institutional Reforms and Improved Staff Welfare
During his tenure, FIRS was restructured into functional clusters designed to improve service delivery and reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks. This modern, customer-centric model has significantly enhanced operational efficiency.
In 2024, he approved a substantial salary increase of over 60% for staff, an unprecedented welfare boost that improved staff morale and encouraged better service delivery.
Commitment to Transparency and Taxpayer Protection
The establishment of a strengthened Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), in partnership with the ICPC, underscores the Service’s renewed focus on integrity. Adedeji’s tax philosophy “We tax prosperity, not poverty” has also guided policies that protect low-income earners while ensuring equitable taxation across economic groups.
The Real Motive Behind the Attacks
With this level of performance, it is not surprising that vested interests those who benefited from loopholes, inefficiency, and opacity now view the reforms at FIRS as a threat. Calls for suspension without evidence suggest that the attacks are less about patriotism and more about stopping a man whose work disrupts the old order.
An attack on Adedeji is, by extension, an attack on the fiscal reforms underpinning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic agenda. It is therefore imperative for security agencies to investigate the sponsors of these faceless campaigns.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s revenue system is experiencing its strongest period in over a decade, driven by reforms that are transparent, digitally driven, and effective. At such a time, attempts to distract the Executive Chairman of FIRS should concern every patriotic Nigerian.
The facts are clear, the achievements are verifiable, and the progress is undeniable.
So the pressing question remains:
Who is afraid of Zacch Adedeji and why?
