ICAN Inaugurates FIRS Chapter, Applauds Adedeji’s Transformational Leadership in Tax Administration

ICAN-FIRS Milestone: A Flashback on the Historic Inauguration and its Far-Reaching Impact

The inauguration of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) on Tuesday marked a historic milestone, underscoring the deep-rooted partnership between the accounting profession and Nigeria’s tax administration. The event, held in Abuja, reaffirmed the critical role of chartered accountants in shaping the nation’s revenue framework while spotlighting the leadership of FIRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, in transforming the agency into an economic powerhouse.

Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, ICAN President Davidson Alaribe highlighted that the FIRS employs over 2,800 of Nigeria’s 66,000 chartered accountants—more than any other government agency. This, he noted, is a testament to the agency’s commitment to professional excellence and ethical financial practices.

The establishment of the ICAN-FIRS chapter comes at a crucial time when Nigeria’s revenue generation efforts are under intense scrutiny. Under Adedeji’s leadership, FIRS has emerged as a critical enabler of national development, ensuring the availability of funds to all three tiers of government for infrastructure and social projects. Alaribe commended Adedeji’s strategic reforms, which have strengthened tax compliance and bolstered financial discipline across the board.

Adedeji, a Fellow of ICAN, in his remarks—delivered on his behalf by the Coordinating Director, Medium Taxpayers Group, Dr. Dick Irri—expressed pride in the contributions of ICAN members to FIRS’ success. “ICAN is dear to me in many ways. Apart from being a Fellow of ICAN, we have close to 3,000 ICAN members working in FIRS. They have always upheld the core values of integrity, accountability, and excellence—setting the benchmark for tax administration in Nigeria,” he stated.

The inauguration also ushered in a new leadership team, with Dr. Josephine Onyia assuming the role of pioneer chairperson of the FIRS chapter. In her acceptance speech, Onyia pledged to strengthen professional development among members, ensuring they remain at the forefront of global accounting standards while contributing meaningfully to national revenue collection.

“As members of this noble profession, we uphold financial integrity, foster economic advancement, and promote trust within the business community. This chapter will serve as a platform for continuous learning and collaboration, ensuring that ICAN members in FIRS remain key drivers of Nigeria’s fiscal sustainability,” Onyia affirmed.

Other executive officers of the newly formed chapter include Mrs. Adenike Adegoke as Vice-Chairperson, Abdurauf Aderemi as General Secretary, Mrs. Patricia Ofili as Treasurer, and Mr. Aduka Borr as Publicity Secretary, among others.

As FIRS continues its revenue expansion drive, the establishment of the ICAN-FIRS chapter is poised to deepen the culture of professionalism and ethical tax administration. It stands as a reflection of Adedeji’s visionary leadership and a commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s economic resilience through expert-driven financial governance.