NANS Disowns Call For Removal of NRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has disowned a publication calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Dr. Zach Adedeji, from office.

In a statement signed by the NANS President, Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, GCNS, on Wednesday, the association said the publication, which also called for an investigation into an alleged $279 million transfer from the Frontier Exploration Fund, did not originate from the organisation and did not represent its position.

NANS described itself as an intellectual organisation that does not rely on rumours or unverified claims in taking positions on national issues.

The association said its mandate extends beyond student welfare to include contributing to national discourse, policy formulation and monitoring the activities of government agencies and institutions.

“Thus, if we have to take a position on any national issue, it would be based on facts, and we will certainly stand by it and defend it,” the statement said.

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NANS said it had monitored the activities of the Nigeria Revenue Service and expressed support for Adedeji, describing him as “a seasoned accountant who has proven to be a brilliant public servant and one of the finest brains in the country.”

The association also cited the revenue performance of the NRS under Adedeji, saying the agency recorded collections exceeding ₦21.7 trillion in 2024 and ₦28.7 trillion by the end of 2025.

“ Hence, as a body committed to Nigeria’s economic growth, we have no reason to call for his removal. Dr. Zach Adedeji has, no doubt, redefined the country’s Revenue Service,” NANS said.

The student body urged members of the public to disregard the publication calling for Adedeji’s removal, stressing that it neither originated from NANS nor reflected its position.

NANS also called on media organisations to uphold professional standards and conduct adequate fact-finding before publishing reports attributed to the association.