The Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, has dismissed concerns over the alleged lavish lifestyles of public officials, saying President Bola Tinubu does not live extravagantly despite his position.
Adedeji made the comments during an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, while responding to questions about the lifestyles of political office holders amid rising living costs and economic pressures facing Nigerians.
Journalist Seun Okinbaloye questioned the revenue chief about the spending habits and movements of political leaders as Nigerians continue to debate government expenditure and the lifestyles of public officials.
In response, Adedeji said Tinubu usually walks from his residence to his office and only uses a vehicle when travelling to the airport.
He also claimed that the President eats only once a day and had not travelled outside Nigeria in the past three months.
“Mr President goes from home to office on foot, not even driving except when he is going to the airport. I don’t know where you see the convoy,” Adedeji said.
The NRS chairman also challenged concerns over the number of Cadillac Escalade vehicles reportedly attached to the President’s convoy, arguing that the President could afford such vehicles.
“How much is an Escalade that the president of Nigeria cannot afford? Please don’t embarrass this country,” he said.
Adedeji further questioned what should constitute “living large”, pointing to what he described as the President’s work routine and limited international travel.
“What is living large? In the last months, he has not even left the shores of this country, trekking and working,” he said.
According to him, the President spends much of his time reviewing official documents and carrying out government duties.
“So what is living large? The president eats once in a day. How many parties have you seen him at in the last three years? Tell me where you have seen him, whether on holiday or anywhere?” Adedeji asked.
The comments come amid ongoing public debate over the lifestyles of political office holders and government spending, particularly as Nigerians continue to face high living costs and broader economic pressures.
Adedeji’s remarks seek to counter perceptions that the President and other senior government officials are living extravagantly at a time when many Nigerians are struggling with the rising cost of basic goods and services.
The debate over official spending has remained a recurring issue in Nigeria, with public scrutiny often focused on government vehicles, foreign trips, official allowances and other expenditures associated with political office holders.
