Notable sons and daughters in Ogbomoso on Wednesday converged at the permanent site of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede to honour one of their own, Dr Zacch Adelabu Adedeji the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), where he delivered the combined maiden convocation lecture of the institution.
Among the personalities who graced the ceremony in honour of Dr. Zacch Adelabu Adedeji who hails from Iwo Ate in Ogo Oluwa Local Government area of Oyo State were Senator Abdulfatai Buhari representing the Oyo North senatorial district, Senator Ayoade Adeseun, Hon. Dokun Odebunmi, the Balogun of Ogbomoso, Dr. Saka Balogun, Alhaji Bashiru Akatapa and Hon. Elder Adegboyega Mathew Abioye.
Others were former Chairman Ogo Oluwa Local Government, Hon. Oluyinka Jesutoye, Hon. Kehinde Mofolasere, Hon. Debo Adebayo Orileoje, Hon. Jide Morounranti as well as Hon. Remi Adepoju.
Similarly, traditional rulers in Ogbomoso included the Alajaawa of Ajaawaland who was represented by his Secretary, the Oniwo Ate of Iwo Ate, the Aresaapa of Iresaapa, and the Olopete of Opete also graced the occasion.
While delivering his lecture titled: “The Role of Technology in Implementing Nigeria’s New Tax Laws: Challenges, Prospects, and Implications for National Development.”
Dr. Zaccheus Adelabu said the success or failure of the country’s newly enacted tax laws will depend largely on the effective deployment of technology.
He described the new tax laws as the most significant restructuring of Nigeria’s fiscal legislation in nearly 50 years.
“This is not just a change in tax rates or definitions. It is a comprehensive restructuring of our tax administration framework. And that framework must now be powered by technology,” he said.
According to him, “the laws were deliberately designed for a digital environment, presupposing reliable taxpayer identification systems, integrated institutional databases, traceable transactions, and automated compliance processes.
“The laws are built for a digital environment. They cannot function properly in a manual, fragmented, paper-based system. Without technology, the laws remain aspirational. With technology, they become operational,” Adedeji said.
He noted that technology would significantly reduce excessive human discretion in tax administration, which he said often breeds inconsistency, opacity, and mistrust.
“For too long, enforcement has been personality-driven. What technology does is to replace discretion with data, and opacity with transparency. It creates a system that is structured, predictable, and fair,” he said.
The NRS boss further described data as “the new infrastructure of modern tax systems,” stressing that credible and harmonised data would enable risk-based assessments rather than random audits.
“With accurate data, we can move from blanket enforcement to targeted compliance. That makes the system more efficient for government and less burdensome for taxpayers,” he added.
Adedeji, however, identified major obstacles to digital tax reform, including inadequate electricity supply, poor internet connectivity, skills shortages, cybersecurity risks, and institutional resistance to transparency.
“Technology does not operate in a vacuum. It requires power, connectivity, skilled manpower, and a culture that embraces accountability. These are real challenges we must confront,” he added.
Despite the hurdles, Adedeji maintained that a technology-driven tax system would expand the tax base without necessarily increasing rates, enhance revenue predictability, and strengthen investor confidence.
“If we get the technology right, we will not need to overburden citizens with higher rates. We will widen the net, improve compliance, and create a more sustainable revenue base,” the chairman explained.
Adedeji added that technology remains “the critical bridge between legislative intention and practical implementation,” stressing that sustainable national development depends on building a transparent, efficient, and digitally enabled revenue system.
The Lecture which was chaired by the Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dr. Tajudeen Abbas who was represented by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari was part of the activities lined up for the maiden convocation programmes put together by the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede in Ogo Oluwa Local Government area.
