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Adedeji insists Tinubu lives a frugal lifestyle, saying the President walks to his office daily, eats only one meal and has avoided foreign trips in recent months.
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NRS chairman dismisses criticism over the President’s convoy, arguing Tinubu’s personal wealth predates his presidency and should not be mistaken for extravagance.
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He describes reports linking the NRS to an alleged $279 million Frontier Exploration Fund fraud as “sponsored fake news” aimed at tarnishing his reputation and undermining the Tinubu administration.
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Adedeji explains that the Frontier Exploration Fund is a statutory mechanism created under the Petroleum Industry Act to finance oil exploration in Nigeria’s frontier basins, insisting claims of illegal fund diversion are baseless.
August 10, (THEWILL) — The Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, has mounted a robust defence of President Bola Tinubu’s personal lifestyle, insisting the President leads a modest life despite growing public criticism over the perceived opulence of government officials amid Nigeria’s economic hardship.
Adedeji also dismissed allegations linking the Nigeria Revenue Service to a purported $279 million fraud involving the Frontier Exploration Fund, describing the reports as fabricated and orchestrated to damage both his reputation and the image of the agency.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, Adedeji rejected suggestions that Tinubu lives extravagantly while millions of Nigerians struggle with soaring inflation, high food prices and rising costs of living. Responding to questions on the lifestyles of political office holders, Adedeji maintained that Tinubu’s daily routine contradicts claims that he indulges in luxury.
According to him, the President walks from his official residence to his office within the Presidential Villa and only uses a vehicle when travelling to the airport or for engagements outside the Villa.
He further claimed that Tinubu eats only one meal daily and spends most of his time reviewing government documents instead of attending social events or travelling abroad.
“Mr President goes from home to office on foot, not even driving except when he is going to the airport”, Adedeji said.
He questioned the recurring criticism over the President’s convoy, particularly reports highlighting the number of Cadillac Escalade SUVs allegedly attached to it.
“How much is an Escalade that the President of Nigeria cannot afford? Please don’t embarrass this country. What is living large? In the last months, he has not even left the shores of this country, trekking and working. If you go there now, you will see him reviewing one document after another. The President eats once a day. How many parties have you seen him attend in the last three years? Tell me where you have seen him, whether on holiday or anywhere”, he said.
Adedeji argued that the President’s wealth and assets did not originate from public office, insisting critics should distinguish between personal success and abuse of state resources.
NRS Boss Rejects $279m Frontier Fund Allegation
Adedeji also dismissed online reports alleging that the NRS had knowledge of or was connected to the alleged transfer of $279 million from the Frontier Exploration Fund into unnamed accounts.
The reports claimed the alleged transactions had triggered calls for a forensic audit and placed the NRS chairman under pressure.
Describing the allegations as entirely false, Adedeji said they were the handiwork of individuals determined to discredit him and weaken public confidence in the Tinubu administration.
“That report is not true in any way. It is pure fake news sponsored by some jobless persons whose pastime is to throw mud at high performers in President Tinubu’s government. I consider it a brand of cheap journalism lacking in ethics and professionalism but heavy with malicious intentions”, he said, adding that the identical language, structure and narrative used by several online platforms suggested the reports originated from a single source before being widely circulated.
According to Adedeji, the authors also demonstrated ignorance of how the Frontier Exploration Fund operates under Nigerian law.
He explained that the Fund was created under Section 9 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021, to finance petroleum exploration in frontier basins where commercially viable hydrocarbon reserves have not yet been fully established.
The affected basins include the Bida, Benue Trough, Anambra, Chad, Sokoto and Dahomey Basins.
He said the Fund is legally dedicated to geological mapping, seismic surveys, exploratory drilling, appraisal wells, basin studies and other exploration activities, insisting there was no basis for the allegations of fund diversion.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
