By Dele Ogbodo
The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, has said that nothing can be achieved in an environment where safety of staff members is not prioritised.
According to Adedeji, who was decorated Safety Champion by the National Safety Institute and Agency (NAIA) said workers are the agency’s prized assets as without them, the success recorded by the agency so far would not have been possible.
A statement by Sikiru Akinola, Technical Assistant (Media) quoted Adedeji, who spoke at the 2025 World Day for Safety and Health at Work, as explaining that the “issue of safety is important and everyone’s duty.”
He revealed that the seriousness with which the agency treats workplace safety has earned recognition for FIRS by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity as one of the most safety-compliant government agencies in Nigeria.
“Today, we stand together to reaffirm a principle that is at the very core of our service: that the safety, health, and well-being of our people is non-negotiable.
“This year’s global theme, “The Impacts of Digitalisation and AI on Workers’ Safety and Health,” speaks directly to the times we live in —times of rapid innovation, but also of new risks and responsibilities.
“Our carefully chosen FIRS sub-theme, “Enhancing Tax Compliance through AI while Safeguarding Employees Well-being,” reflects our deep understanding that technology must serve people, not endanger them.
“As we modernise our processes, deploy Artificial Intelligence tools, and digitise our operations to drive tax compliance and efficiency, we are equally committed to ensuring that no staff member’s health, safety, mental well-being, or sense of security is compromised. This is why, over the past year, we have taken concrete and deliberate steps to strengthen our safety culture,” he said.
Adedeji explained that to demonstrate that safety is not just a policy, but a daily practice, he signed the FIRS Safety Commitment Statement.
“Today’s event is part of our ongoing effort to ensure that every FIRS office, every digital platform we introduce, and every innovation we embrace prioritises the dignity, security, and well-being of our people,” he added.
