Zacchaeus Adedeji Adelabu, is a seasoned financial expert from Iwo-Ate community of Ogo Oluwa Local Government Area of Oyo state, Nigeria. He has served in many capacities as a public servant including being a former Commissioner for Finance under former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
In fact, he is a close associate of the former governor. One thing is certain that his philanthropic gestures seem to be opening so many doors for him in and outside Government.
His grass to grace story is inspiring and has been a source of motivation to other younger generations. Many hardly know that the 43-year old financial expert grew up as a son of a peasant cocoa merchant in his early years. A hardworking young Adelabu accompanied his father on market days, travelling several kilometres, to sell cocoa.
He has his credit certificates from the Federal Polytechnic, Ede where he bagged distinction in Accountancy. This qualified him for a scholarship award instituted for indigent but brilliant students by late legal luminary and human rights crusader, Chief Gani Fawehinmi. Adelabu replicated his feats at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, graduating with a first class in Accounting. He is one of the accountants to have been chartered at a very tender age in the history of the accounting profession in the country.
In 2011, barely seven months after his 33rd birthday, he was appointed commissioner for finance by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, becoming the youngest person to have occupied such a position. This was after he had attained managerial position a few years after working diligently with an American multinational company- Procter and Gamble, (P & G).
During Ajimobi’s government, Zach proved to be a very prudent steward, as every kobo spent had to be properly accounted for. His name was on every pair of lips, as he extended hands of fellowship and help to every needy person who came across his way then. He ensured funds were properly disbursed and spent in accordance to their purposes.
Through his philanthropic gestures, Zacchaeus Adelabu has assisted many youths to attain their dreams. In December 2017, he was appointed Chairman of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, ATBU, Teaching Hospital, Bauchi by President Muhammadu Buhari.
More recently is a new feather added to his already decorated cap, making him the fifth substantive Executive Secretary and first Oyo State indigene to head the National Sugar Development Council. The National Sugar Development Council is a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and has an autonomous Management headed by the Executive Secretary who is also assisted by five (5) Directors heading various departments. The Executive Secretary serves as the Secretary/Member of a Governing Board which have representatives of relevant MDA’s, sugar producers, importers and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) etc as members. The Executive Secretary reports also to the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment through the Governing Board.
The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) was established by Decree 88 of 1993, now an Act of the National Assembly, Act Cap. No. 78 LFN of 2004, Amended in 2015, to catalyze the development of the sugar industry with a view to ensuring that Nigeria attains at least, 70% self-sufficiency in her sugar requirement within the shortest possible time and even export to earn foreign exchange. The Council therefore serves as the main focal agency responsible for the regulation of all activities in the sugar sub-sector ranging from production, marketing, importation and enforcement of relevant industry standards in collaboration with relevant government agencies.
The NSDC Act was amended in 2015 to capture and provide legal backing to some of the provisions of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP). The NSDC (Amended) Act 2015 has been gazette and captured in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette Vol. 102 No. 68 of 12th June, 2015.
The establishment of NSDC was informed by the realization of the ineffective and un-coordinated planning and supervision of the sugar sub sector due to absence of a body/agency that could coordinate and monitor sugar development in Nigeria, to enable it contribute to the nation’s industrial and economic development.
A consummate financial expert with 15 years’ post qualification experience in financial and general management, he was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as the Executive Secretary of the Council on 10th March, 2021 for an initial term of four years.
We must admit that he has a proven track record of over 15 years of hands-on executive experience in strategy, accounting and financial management, financial analysis/reporting, internal controls, change management and human management.
Mr. Zacch Adedeji has pledged his readiness to learn, understudy and work with all members of staff across boards for the overall growth and development of the Council in particular and the sugar industry in general.
Mr. Adedeji who gave this pledge during his formal inauguration as the substantive Executive Secretary of the Council by the Hon. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, also promised to be fair, just and objective in the discharge of his official responsibilities.
His appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari to head the Council is quite commendable. Mr. Adedeji is known for his golden touch and thoroughness in whatever assignment is committed into his hands.
He is known to work with inputs and suggestions from brilliant minds and this is believed to be one of his rare qualities, he may exhibit at the Council to take it to the next level.
Already, he has swung into action, with a familiarization tour of the Sugar House, Headquarters of the NSDC. To take the council to a higher pedestal, Adelabu has vouched to respect laid down rules and principle, as he would not alter existing programmes and policies that are clearly working for the good of the Council. He would rather join them in building on the legacies of his predecessors who have all done well in taking the Council to where it is today.
Mr. Adedeji is a Fellow of Chartered Accountant (FCA), member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and member, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.
He has attended training and participated in several executive programmes centered on leadership, capacity building and development, finance and accounting, policy and administration and stewardship in the United States of America, Philippines, South Africa, Belgium and Switzerland.
