Zacch Adedeji: The Making of a Purpose-driven Technocrat
By Zekeri Idakwo Laruba
“Slowly and steadily is how the snail climbs the tree,” as the timeless Yoruba proverb puts it, “Ẹ̀sọ̀ ẹ̀sọ̀ ni ìgbín fi ǹgun igi.” The saying perfectly mirrors the quiet, deliberate rise of Zacch Adelabu Adedeji. His journey to national prominence has never been about haste or noise, but about discipline, focus, and consistent delivery.
In the ever-evolving landscape of Nigeria’s public service, few figures embody discipline, competence, and a clear sense of mission like Adedeji, the 47-year-old first-rate accountant currently steering the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). His rise is neither accidental nor hurried. It is the product of a life built on grit, intellectual focus, and a deep-rooted commitment to adding value wherever he finds himself.
Born on January 8, 1978, in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Adedeji grew up in a community that prizes hard work and integrity. Those values shaped his worldview early, laying the foundation for a career rooted in purpose rather than prestige. Friends and associates often describe him as calm but relentless, analytical yet people-focused, a professional who sees problems only as puzzles waiting for smart solutions.
His academic path reflects this quiet determination. From a National Diploma in Accountancy at the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, he pushed forward to earn a First-Class degree in Management and Accounting at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), a remarkable feat that underscored both his intellectual depth and discipline. He returned to OAU to obtain a Master’s degree in Accounting and, years later, capped his academic journey with a PhD in Accounting from the same institution in 2023.
His intellectual curiosity extended beyond Nigeria. At the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, he undertook an Executive Course in Economic Development, broadening his worldview and sharpening the strategic lens that would later define his public service roles.
Yet, what truly makes Adedeji tick goes far beyond certificates or achievements. It is his belief that systems can work, and that Nigeria can be run on strong institutions rather than sentiments. He thrives on structure, data, and clearly defined outcomes. Whether in corporate boardrooms or government offices, he comes prepared, measured, and laser-focused on results. Those close to him say he is the kind of leader who would rather fix the engine than complain about the noise.
One of his former close aides captures this essence succinctly: “He’s humane, brilliant, easygoing, and a welfarist. He commits all he has into building people and ensures that he provides the necessary support and push for people around him to excel. Never bossy. No airs, as he engages freely with everyone around him.” It is this blend of humility and competence that has shaped his leadership footprint across sectors.
Before stepping fully onto the public administration stage, Adedeji built a strong foundation in the private sector. He began his career at Procter & Gamble (P&G), one of the world’s most respected multinationals. At P&G, he held several critical roles, including Corporate Finance Manager (West Africa) and Finance Leader for the SAP Implementation Project.
This exposure shaped his leadership ethos: precision, accountability, and efficiency. He learned how global-standard systems operate, how data drives decision-making, and how robust institutions fuel sustainable economies. These experiences became the compass he carried into public service.
His transition into government came in 2011 when, at just 33, he was appointed Commissioner for Finance in Oyo State by the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi. It was a bold decision, one that signaled a generational shift and a recognition of competence above age. In four years (2011–2015), Adedeji brought structure to state fiscal management, strengthened administrative processes, and championed data-driven financial operations. That period marked his emergence as one of Nigeria’s most promising young technocrats.
His excellent performance in Oyo State opened the door to the federal stage. Under late President Muhammadu Buhari, Adedeji was appointed Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC). At NSDC, he demonstrated his characteristic knack for institution-building by strengthening the Nigeria Sugar Institute (NSI), a major milestone that enhanced capacity development in the sugar value chain and positioned the sector for long-term sustainability. He also secured the support of President Buhari and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the extension of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) for another 10 years to enable the NSDC fulfil its mandate. Adedeji’s vision is the foundation of the remarkable performance of the present NSDC boss, Mr. Kamar Bakrin, who has succeeded in mobilising both brownfield and greenfield investors and launched a landmark Sugarcane Outgrower Development Programme (SODP) to target increased local sugar production in the pursuit of self-sufficiency for Nigeria.
Quiet but effective, Adedeji has built a reputation as a technocrat who prioritises systems over politics. He is methodical, strategic, and deeply committed to reforms that outlast personalities. His career trajectory reflects a professional who carries private-sector discipline into public administration.
His profile expanded further in the early months of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, where he served as Special Adviser to the President on Revenue. The role placed him at the heart of Nigeria’s fiscal strategy conversations, and his clarity, depth, and outcome-driven approach quickly earned him the confidence of the Presidency.
In September 2023, Adedeji was appointed Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), succeeding Muhammad Mamman Nami. The appointment underscored one reality: he is widely viewed as a transformational asset, a leader whose blend of global corporate experience, public-sector competence, and intellectual grounding uniquely positions him to strengthen institutions and drive impactful outcomes.
Across all his roles, a consistent theme emerges: Zacch Adelabu Adedeji is motivated by impact. He believes in systems, transparency, and building structures that can stand the test of time. He carries a deep conviction that Nigeria’s growth rests on sound institutions, and he channels that belief into every assignment.
Colleagues describe him as humble but firm, visionary yet grounded, innovative yet respectful of process. A leader who works quietly but delivers boldly. And as he leads one of Nigeria’s most strategic institutions, those qualities continue to define, and elevate, his journey.