UK academy honours Nigeria’s Oluwatobi Adeyelu for transforming public revenue systems

The Commonwealth Academy of Leadership and Management in the United Kingdom has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Ms Oluwatobi Opeyemi Adeyelu, a rising figure in Nigeria’s tax administration whose work at the Federal Inland Revenue Service has earned wide recognition for its impact on public revenue reform.

The honour places her among a select group of professionals whose careers demonstrate measurable leadership, ethical practice, and a commitment to strengthening public institutions.

The Academy, which reviews tens of thousands of nominations from more than 70 countries each year, reserves the Fellowship for individuals who combine technical excellence with reform-minded vision.

Its citation for Adeyelu highlights her contributions to tax modernisation, digital transformation, and regulatory compliance, particularly within Nigeria’s oil and gas revenue system.

Adeyelu joined the Federal Inland Revenue Service several years ago and has since played an influential role in improving efficiency within the Large Tax Office that oversees major accounts in the oil and gas sector.

Through her leadership in process automation and data validation, the unit recorded a 30 percent reduction in tax preparation time and stronger audit compliance across key portfolios. These improvements have been replicated in other divisions, marking her as one of the Service’s emerging innovators.

With more than eight years of experience across taxation, project management, and regulatory compliance, Adeyelu has built a reputation for precision, analytical skill, and a methodical approach to reform.

Colleagues describe her as a professional who brings structure and clarity to complex tasks and who consistently pushes for better systems through technology driven tools. Her contributions extend beyond daily operations.

Adeyelu was part of the team that reviewed the Petroleum Industry Bill, which later became the Petroleum Industry Act. The legislation reshaped oil sector taxation and introduced new fiscal transparency measures.

She also contributed to reforms that expanded Nigeria’s Value Added Tax base, clarified dividend definitions under the Companies Income Tax Act, and supported the implementation of the Electronic Money Transfer levy, which boosted government revenue by an estimated 462 million naira annually.

Her work has helped bridge the gap between policy design and administrative execution, demonstrating how well structured processes can translate legislative reforms into measurable results.

This capacity, according to CALM officials, reflects the type of leadership the Fellowship seeks to promote internationally. Before joining the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Adeyelu worked as a Tax Analyst at Windfalls and Partners Consulting in Lagos, where she specialised in oil and gas taxation and delivered a full record of audit success for her portfolio.

Her private sector experience provided insight into taxpayer challenges and regulatory expectations, an understanding that now informs her approach to public service. At the Federal Inland Revenue Service, she is also known for her commitment to mentoring younger officers.

As a team lead, she has trained staff in audit readiness, compliance interpretation, and ethical reporting. She often emphasises that technology can enhance systems, but integrity must drive decision making.

Her academic background includes a degree in Education Accounting from Lagos State University and a Master of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance from Ajayi Crowther University.

These qualifications support her multidisciplinary approach to tax administration, combining financial expertise with managerial strategy. The Commonwealth Academy notes that her induction into its Fellowship community carries a responsibility to share knowledge, support institutional reform, and contribute to global best practice in governance.

For Nigeria, observers say her recognition underscores the growing international respect for professionals who are shaping public sector transformation. Upon receiving the Fellowship, Adeyelu described the honour as both humbling and motivating, noting that the achievement reflects the collective effort of colleagues and mentors committed to building a transparent and efficient tax system.

She continues to work on frameworks for automated compliance verification and financial education for small businesses, areas she believes are central to the future of inclusive revenue administration.

Her career, defined by discipline and a clear dedication to service, aligns with CALM’s vision of leadership grounded in accountability and sustainable development. As she joins the Academy’s global network, Adeyelu represents a generation of Nigerian technocrats driving reforms that blend technology, policy, and ethical governance.