The Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, has rejected claims that President Bola Tinubu enjoys an extravagant lifestyle, saying the President walks to his office, eats once daily and has remained largely within Nigeria in recent months. Adedeji spoke during a Channels Television interview on Sunday, where he was questioned about […]
The Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, has rejected claims that President Bola Tinubu enjoys an extravagant lifestyle, saying the President walks to his office, eats once daily and has remained largely within Nigeria in recent months.
Adedeji spoke during a Channels Television interview on Sunday, where he was questioned about the lifestyles of political leaders and the perception that some public officials continue to live lavishly despite the economic hardship confronting many Nigerians.
Responding to the criticism, the NRS chairman said Tinubu’s personal routine did not support the description of the President as someone who lives large. He said that despite his position, Tinubu does not routinely move around in the manner being portrayed by some critics.
Adedeji claimed that the President often walks from his residence to his office and only uses a vehicle when heading to the airport. He also challenged questions about the number of luxury Escalade vehicles reportedly associated with Tinubu’s convoy, arguing that the President could afford such vehicles and questioning why their use should automatically be interpreted as evidence of extravagance.
The revenue service chief further said Tinubu had not left Nigeria in the past three months, portraying the President as someone focused largely on official duties. According to him, the President spends his time reviewing documents and working, rather than pursuing holidays or other activities associated with a lavish lifestyle.
Adedeji also claimed that Tinubu eats only once a day and questioned how frequently the President attends parties or social events. He asked critics to point to occasions over the past three years when Tinubu had been seen on holiday or engaging in activities that would demonstrate the extravagant lifestyle being alleged.
The comments came amid a wider public conversation about government expenditure and the lifestyles of political office holders as Nigerians face rising living costs and continuing economic pressures. The contrast between the financial struggles of citizens and the perceived privileges of those in government has remained a sensitive issue.
Despite the concerns being raised over official spending and political leaders’ lifestyles, Adedeji stood by his defence of Tinubu, insisting that the President’s routine and work schedule did not amount to living large. His remarks have now added a fresh dimension to the ongoing debate over how Nigeria’s leaders live and spend public resources.