Taiwo Oyedele Biography: Nigeria’s Tax Reform Champion, Wiki

Discover Taiwo Oyedele’s inspiring journey from poverty in Ikaram village to leading Nigeria’s ambitious tax reforms. Learn about the PwC veteran’s 22-year career and presidential appointment.

Taiwo Oyedele (born 18 June 1975) is a Nigerian economist, accountant, and public policy expert who serves as the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms in Nigeria, appointed by President Bola Tinubu. His appointment represents one of the most ambitious attempts to transform Nigeria’s tax system and increase government revenue while building public trust and facilitating economic growth.

Mr. Taiwo Oyedele is the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms set up by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a broad mandate to carry out critical reforms regarding Fiscal Governance, Revenue Transformation and Economic Growth Facilitation. His leadership of this transformative initiative comes at a critical juncture in Nigeria’s economic history, where the need for efficient revenue generation and fiscal discipline has never been more apparent.

What distinguishes Oyedele in Nigeria’s economic policy landscape is his unique combination of extensive private sector experience, deep technical expertise, and genuine commitment to social transformation. Prior to his current role, Mr. Oyedele was the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader at PwC where he worked for 22 years including over 10 years in top leadership positions, gaining in-depth knowledge and diverse experience ranging from Tax Advisory & Policy Advocacy to Business Strategy Consulting, Leadership Development, and Policy Design & Execution.

His reform agenda is particularly ambitious, aiming to increase Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio from approximately 10% to at least 18% within three years—equivalent to raising the tax take by an extra US$40 billion based on 2022 figures—while simultaneously reducing the compliance burden on businesses and building public trust in government revenue systems.

The fact that Taiwo Oyedele has police protection following death threats is testament to the high stakes that come with his current job – solving Nigeria’s ‘revenue crisis.’ His willingness to take on this challenge despite the personal risks demonstrates his deep commitment to transforming Nigeria’s economic landscape and creating opportunities for future generations.

Early Life & Background: From Poverty to Purpose

Birth and Childhood in Ikaram Village

Taiwo Oyedele was born on 18 June 1975 in Ondo State and raised in Ikaram, Akoko, a rural village in southwestern Nigeria where he experienced firsthand the challenges of poverty and economic hardship that motivate his current work. His upbringing in this modest agricultural community provided him with direct understanding of the economic struggles facing ordinary Nigerians.

‘I have seen poverty at its worst,’ he says, reflecting on his childhood in Ikaram Akoko where if crops failed, the family would struggle to eat. This early experience of economic hardship created in him a profound understanding of why effective government revenue systems and efficient public service delivery are essential for national development and poverty alleviation.

Educational Struggles and Determination

When it came to paying the fees for secondary school exams, the family relied on a small scholarship, demonstrating the financial challenges that nearly prevented his education. This experience of nearly missing educational opportunities due to financial constraints has influenced his commitment to creating economic systems that provide opportunities for all Nigerians regardless of their backgrounds.

The social mission behind his tax reform work is clear and deeply personal, rooted in his own experience of economic hardship. ‘Actually, that’s the main objective at the end of the day,’ says Oyedele about improving conditions for ordinary Nigerians. ‘There is a bigger purpose than just taking care of yourself and your family,’ reflecting his philosophy of public service and social responsibility.

Educational Journey: Building World-Class Expertise

Foundation Education in Nigeria

He obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in accountancy and finance from Yaba College of Technology, one of Nigeria’s premier technical education institutions. This foundation in accountancy provided him with the technical skills and analytical framework that would prove essential throughout his career in tax policy and fiscal management.

He also earned a BSc in applied accounting at Oxford Brookes University, expanding his educational credentials and gaining international perspectives on accounting practices and financial management that complemented his Nigerian educational foundation.

Executive Education at Elite Global Institutions

He completed executive education programs at the London School of Economics, Yale University, Gordon Institute of Business Science, and Harvard Kennedy School, representing world-class training from some of the most prestigious educational institutions globally. He is an alumnus of the London School of Economics & Political Science, Yale University and Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education, credentials that place him among Nigeria’s most internationally educated policy experts.

This combination of technical accounting education with executive training at elite global institutions has provided Oyedele with both deep technical expertise and sophisticated understanding of policy design, implementation, and stakeholder management—skills that are crucial for leading Nigeria’s complex tax reform initiative.

Professional Career: Two Decades of Excellence at PwC

Entry and Early Career at PwC

Oyedele’s career spans several key roles in both the private and public sectors. He spent 22 years at PwC, joining in 2001 and rising to become the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader, demonstrating remarkable career progression and consistent delivery of results in one of the world’s leading professional services firms.

His 22-year tenure at PwC provided him with comprehensive experience across multiple dimensions of tax policy, fiscal management, and business consulting that would prove invaluable in his later role leading national tax reforms.

Leadership Progression and Regional Responsibilities

Taiwo Oyedele became a Fiscal Policy Partner and West African Tax Leader at PwC in July 2009, taking on regional responsibilities that expanded his influence beyond Nigeria to cover tax policy issues across West Africa. This regional role provided him with understanding of comparative tax systems and best practices across multiple African countries.

In 2021 he became the Fiscal Policy Partner and African Tax Leader at PwC, expanding his responsibilities to cover the entire African continent and positioning him as one of Africa’s leading experts on tax policy and fiscal governance. During this period, he worked for 22 years including over 10 years in top leadership positions, demonstrating sustained excellence and increasing responsibility.

Public Policy Contributions While at PwC

During his PwC tenure, he also served as the Vice Chairman of the National Tax Policy Committee for the Federal Ministry of Finance, contributing to national tax reforms and providing strategic guidance on tax policy development. He also provided expert insight to the World Bank, extending his influence to international development institutions.

His work during this period involved Tax Advisory & Policy Advocacy, Business Strategy Consulting, Leadership Development, and Policy Design & Execution, providing him with multifaceted experience that prepared him for his current comprehensive reform mandate.

Presidential Appointment: Leading National Transformation

The Call to Public Service

In July 2023 he departed PwC and was appointed Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms by President Bola Tinubu. President Bola Tinubu, on Friday (July 7, 2023), set up a committee on tax reforms and named Taiwo Oyedele as Chairman, entrusting him with one of the most critical economic reform initiatives in Nigeria’s history.

Oyedele says he did not hesitate to resign from PwC when offered his new role, although many would consider it truly daunting, demonstrating his commitment to public service and his belief in the transformative potential of comprehensive tax reform for Nigeria’s economic development.

The Reform Mandate and Objectives

His appointment came with an ambitious tri-part mandate. First, he has to increase government revenues, aiming for a headline lift from the current 10% of GDP to 18% – equivalent to raising the tax take by an extra US$40bn or so, based on 2022 figures, a massive increase that would fundamentally transform government’s capacity to deliver services.

Second, the project has to attract and retain investment through a reformed fiscal system that must be competitive, enabling inward investment and assisting the growth of Nigerian businesses both at home and across borders, ensuring that increased revenue doesn’t come at the cost of economic growth and competitiveness.

Finally, Oyedele is charged with improving public trust in Nigeria’s tax system, addressing the reality that a recent study found only 17% of adults in the country believe that non-payment of taxes is wrong and should be punished. ‘The trust level between government and the people is very low,’ Oyedele admits, acknowledging the challenge of convincing Nigerians to pay taxes to a government many don’t trust.

Major Reform Initiatives and Achievements

Tax System Simplification

Under his leadership, the committee proposed the creation of a unified Nigerian Revenue Service to replace several existing tax agencies, streamlining revenue collection and reducing administrative costs while improving efficiency and accountability in government revenue operations.

The work will involve slashing the number of business taxes from over 60 currently to around eight, while also addressing which agencies and levels of government should be authorised to levy and collect tax, dramatically simplifying the tax environment for Nigerian businesses and reducing compliance costs that currently burden economic activity.

Legislative Success and Policy Implementation

In May 2025, the Senate passed four tax reform bills based on the committee’s proposals, including legislation to establish the Nigeria Revenue Service and modify frameworks for VAT and petroleum royalties, representing concrete legislative progress toward implementing the committee’s comprehensive reform vision.

The intention is to build public credibility and trust by picking off the low-hanging fruit first, such as bringing an end to companies paying some taxes in foreign currency, a practice that not only puts pressure on the Nigerian naira but also creates compliance issues for small businesses unable to access foreign currency.

Professional Memberships and Academic Roles

Professional Affiliations and Leadership

Mr. Oyedele is a Fellow of the Nigeria Leadership Initiative, member of the Global Tax Forum and a former member of the Global Governing Council of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), demonstrating his standing in both Nigerian and international professional communities.

He is the Chairman of the Taxation & Fiscal Policy Faculty Board of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and is a member of the Nigerian Taxation Standards Board, holding leadership positions in key professional bodies that shape Nigeria’s tax and accounting standards.

He was the Thematic Lead for the Fiscal Policy & Planning Commission, and Chairman of the West Africa Debt Management Roundtable of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), contributing to regional economic policy development and debt management strategies across West Africa.

Academic Contributions and Teaching

He is an Associate Professor at Babcock University and a guest lecturer at the Lagos Business School, sharing his expertise with the next generation of Nigerian business leaders and contributing to the development of tax policy and fiscal management education in Nigeria.

Mr. Oyedele is an accountant and an economist by training. He is an author, keynote speaker, mentor and commentator on finance, business, and economic matters, using multiple platforms to educate Nigerians about fiscal policy and economic development issues.

Challenges and Controversies: The Cost of Reform

Personal Security Threats

After one recent TV interview, his family received death threats, prompting the need for police protection, illustrating the intense opposition his reforms face from stakeholders with vested interests in maintaining the current inefficient tax system.

The fact that Taiwo Oyedele has police protection following death threats is testament to the high stakes that come with his current job, as powerful interests threatened by reforms seek to intimidate him and undermine the reform process through threats of violence.

Stakeholder Management Challenges

Oyedele says stakeholder management is potentially the biggest risk facing the project, as his reforms threaten the interests of informal tax collectors, corrupt officials, and businesses that benefit from the current complex and inefficient tax system.

Oyedele has some sympathy for the ‘informal’ tax collectors and believes the answer lies in training them to become part of the reformed system. ‘If we are going to stop them, we have to think about what that means for them, because I think those guys are victims of the system,’ he says. ‘We shouldn’t look at them like people we need to put in jail. They’re people you need to help.’

Impact and Legacy: Transforming Africa’s Largest Economy

Vision for Transformative Change

‘We want it to be transformative for Africa, not just Nigeria,’ Oyedele says candidly from the modest office in Lagos where he chairs the presidential committee on fiscal policy and tax reform, indicating his ambition extends beyond Nigeria to potentially influence tax reform across the African continent.

If his reforms go through, even half of them, Oyedele believes a turning point will have been reached in Nigeria’s economic development and the country’s ability to generate revenues necessary for infrastructure development, public services, and poverty alleviation.

Building Trust and Credibility

His preference is for the country’s revenue service to be the sole collection agency with the other agencies funded through government budget, creating clear lines of responsibility and accountability that can help rebuild public trust in government revenue collection.

His openness about the reform plans and willingness to engage stakeholders publicly demonstrates his commitment to transparency and inclusive policy development, even when such openness exposes him to criticism and threats from those opposed to reform.

Conclusion: A Champion for Economic Transformation

Taiwo Oyedele’s journey from poverty in Ikaram village to leading one of Africa’s most ambitious economic reform initiatives represents a remarkable story of personal achievement and public service commitment. His 22 years of experience at PwC provided him with world-class expertise in tax policy and fiscal management, while his elite education equipped him with sophisticated policy design and implementation skills.

His appointment to lead Nigeria’s Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms places him at the center of efforts to transform Africa’s largest economy by increasing government revenues, improving tax system efficiency, and building public trust in government institutions. The ambitious goal of increasing Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio from 10% to 18% within three years represents one of the most significant economic policy initiatives in Nigeria’s history.

The personal risks he faces, including death threats requiring police protection, demonstrate the high stakes involved in challenging entrenched interests and reforming systems that benefit from inefficiency and corruption. His willingness to accept these risks reflects his deep commitment to creating an economic system that provides opportunities for all Nigerians, particularly those from backgrounds similar to his own.

Whether his reforms ultimately succeed will depend on sustained political support, effective stakeholder management, and his ability to deliver early wins that build momentum and public confidence. However, his vision, expertise, and personal commitment to transformation have already made him one of Nigeria’s most significant economic policy figures and a potential model for fiscal reform across Africa.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is Taiwo Oyedele and what is his current role?

Current Position

Taiwo Oyedele is the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms in Nigeria, appointed by President Bola Tinubu in July 2023 to lead comprehensive reforms of Nigeria’s tax system and fiscal governance.

Professional Background

He is a Nigerian economist, accountant, and public policy expert who spent 22 years at PwC, rising to become the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader before leaving to take up his current presidential appointment.

Reform Mandate

His mandate includes increasing Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio from 10% to 18%, simplifying the tax system, building public trust, and creating a competitive fiscal environment that attracts investment.

2. What is Taiwo Oyedele’s educational background?

Nigerian Foundation

He obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in accountancy and finance from Yaba College of Technology and a BSc in applied accounting at Oxford Brookes University.

Elite Executive Education

He completed executive education programs at the London School of Economics, Yale University, Gordon Institute of Business Science, and Harvard Kennedy School, providing him with world-class training in economic policy and leadership.

Academic Credentials

He is an accountant and an economist by training with credentials from some of the world’s most prestigious educational institutions, combining technical expertise with sophisticated policy knowledge.

3. What are the main goals of Taiwo Oyedele’s tax reform initiative?

Revenue Increase

The primary goal is to increase government revenues from the current 10% of GDP to 18%, equivalent to raising the tax take by an extra US$40 billion based on 2022 figures.

Tax Simplification

The reforms aim to slash the number of business taxes from over 60 currently to around eight, dramatically reducing compliance burden on businesses while streamlining revenue collection.

Trust Building

A critical objective is improving public trust in Nigeria’s tax system, addressing the reality that only 17% of Nigerian adults believe non-payment of taxes is wrong and should be punished.

4. What challenges has Taiwo Oyedele faced in his reform work?

Personal Security Threats

After public discussions of his reforms, his family received death threats, requiring police protection, illustrating the intense opposition from stakeholders with vested interests in the current inefficient system.

Low Public Trust

He faces the challenge of convincing Nigerians to pay more taxes to a government many don’t trust, with ‘the trust level between government and the people’ being ‘very low.’

Stakeholder Opposition

Oyedele identifies stakeholder management as potentially the biggest risk, as his reforms threaten interests of informal tax collectors, corrupt officials, and businesses benefiting from current system complexity.

5. What professional positions has Taiwo Oyedele held?

PwC Leadership

He spent 22 years at PwC, becoming Fiscal Policy Partner and West African Tax Leader in 2009, then Fiscal Policy Partner and African Tax Leader in 2021, before leaving in July 2023.

Professional Body Leadership

He chairs the Taxation & Fiscal Policy Faculty Board of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and previously chaired the West Africa Debt Management Roundtable of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group.

Academic Roles

He is an Associate Professor at Babcock University and a guest lecturer at the Lagos Business School, combining his policy work with academic teaching and mentoring.

6. What legislative progress has been achieved under Oyedele’s leadership?

Senate Passage of Reform Bills

In May 2025, the Senate passed four tax reform bills based on his committee’s proposals, including legislation to establish the Nigeria Revenue Service and modify frameworks for VAT and petroleum royalties.

Structural Reforms

The legislation creates a unified Nigerian Revenue Service to replace several existing tax agencies, streamlining revenue collection and reducing administrative costs while improving efficiency.

Policy Implementation

The bills represent concrete legislative progress toward implementing the committee’s comprehensive reform vision, though full implementation will require sustained effort and continued political support.