Fatshimetrie, a renowned magazine, highlights Adedeji’s exceptional leadership since his appointment in September 2023 as the head of the Nigerian Revenue Agency. His tenure has given the agency a new lease of life, resulting in unprecedented revenue growth.
Upon assuming the role, Adedeji made his goal clear: to modernize the system to enable Nigeria to compete on the international stage. After a year at the helm of the FIRS, policy analyst Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi describes the director’s vision as centered on creating a transparent, efficient and taxpayer-focused tax administration.
To achieve this goal, Adedeji has implemented several transformative technology-driven measures. He has notably restructured the FIRS to make it more cohesive, adaptable and data-driven. This approach has helped streamline tax operations and increase transparency.
The FIRS Director also paid special attention to employee welfare, realizing that staff motivation is critical to organizational success. By improving the working conditions and remuneration of FIRS staff, he boosted morale, leading to increased efficiency.
Under Adedeji’s leadership, FIRS surpassed its revenue target for the year 2023 by collecting N12.36 trillion, compared to an initial target of N11.55 trillion. In the first quarter of 2024, the agency earned N3.94 trillion, a 56% increase over the same period the previous year.
Adedeji’s focus on innovation also led to the introduction of nine new modules in the TaxProMax system, automating over 80% of the previous manual processes. These advances have simplified operations for both large and small businesses, creating a one-stop shop for fast, transparent and efficient tax services.
In addition, the establishment of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) and collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) demonstrate Adedeji’s commitment to integrity in tax administration. His leadership of the National Single Window Project (NSWP), a digital platform aimed at transforming Nigeria’s business sector by simplifying import and export activities, is also commended.
In conclusion, Adedeji’s tenure at the helm of FIRS has paved the way for sustained growth and a fairer tax system. His commitment to innovation, transparency and integrity has enabled the agency to achieve record revenues and improve tax services to taxpayersHis approach focused on prosperity rather than poverty exemplifies his vision of fair and cooperative taxation, thereby placing Nigeria on the path to economic prosperity.