NEWS
“What Is Living Large? The President Eats Once in a Day,” — Chairman NRS, Zacch Adedeji Defends President Tinubu Over Alleged Lavish Lifestyle
The Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, has dismissed concerns over the alleged lavish lifestyles of public officials, insisting that President Bola Tinubu does not live extravagantly despite occupying Nigeria’s highest political office.
Adedeji made the remarks during an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, where journalist Seun Okinbaloye questioned him about the lifestyles of political office holders amid the economic difficulties confronting millions of Nigerians.
The exchange comes against the backdrop of growing public debate over government spending, official convoys and the lifestyles of political leaders, particularly as Nigerians continue to grapple with rising living costs and broader economic pressures.
Defending the President, Adedeji painted a picture of a leader whose personal lifestyle, according to him, does not reflect the perception of extravagance often associated with Nigeria’s top political office.
He claimed that Tinubu usually walks from his residence to his office and only uses a vehicle when travelling to the airport.
Adedeji also said the President eats only once a day and had not travelled outside Nigeria in the past three months, presenting these as examples of what he described as a modest lifestyle.
The NRS chairman was also questioned about the number of luxury Cadillac Escalade vehicles reportedly attached to the President’s convoy.
In response, he challenged the premise of the question and argued that there was nothing inappropriate about the President being able to afford such vehicles.
He said, “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. Before he became president, what is he riding?
“How much is an Escalade that the president of Nigeria cannot afford? Please don’t embarrass this country.
“What is living large? In the last months, he has not even left the shores of this country, trekking and working. If you go there now, you will see him review one document or the other.
“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?”
His comments come at a time when questions about official expenditure, government accountability and the conduct of political office holders remain prominent in public discourse.
While critics have continued to scrutinise the cost of governance and the visible lifestyles associated with public officials, Adedeji maintained that the President’s personal conduct does not amount to living extravagantly.
The remarks are expected to fuel further discussion over the balance between the privileges attached to high public office and the economic realities 
facing ordinary Nigerians.