BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The Chief Executive Officer of Deloitte West Africa, Yomi Olugbenro has pledged to support Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms and deliver the dividends of democracy to ordinary Nigerians on the street.
He stated this when he led the management team of Deloitte Africa to the State House Abuja, to explore possible ways of partnership to strengthen the economy.
Olugbenro: “We do what we do because of the philosophy that our Africa CEOs talk about – making an impact that matters. Where we are at the moment, we believe that the ground has been solidly laid. There is a need to truly extract more value and deliver the dividends of democracy to ordinary Nigerians on the street. The bigger work is really about how to cascade some of those big reforms further down.
“We do believe that with the capabilities that the firm has all over the world, we have used cases, examples, experiences of how we supported nations all around the world, so Nigeria will definitely benefit from those experiences.
"So that is why we are here, and we welcome the invitation that you may grant us as to where exactly you want us to support you,’’ he added.
The CEO of Deloitte Africa, Ruwayda Redfearn noted that the global Deloitte is primarily focused on digital and business transformation, with over 500,000 employees worldwide working across various roles and locations, including over 6,000 in Africa.
She stated that the organisation's revenue stood at $74 billion in 2025.
“We are before you to say that we want to serve. We have a local team on the ground that is ready, as well as the global firm, to support you and support your administration as you lead the country,’’ she said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu disclosed that the reforms had steadily stabilised the economy over three years, with growing plaudits for positive development and growth indicators.
“We are following the example of Deloitte’s greatness to change things from the foundation, building the necessary future for our people.
“Yes, reforms are difficult. It has not been a McDonald’s customer relationship but a harvester of good things, if implemented well, and that is what we are about.
“Thank you for your partnership in paying attention to what we are doing here, as we have heard from the Minister of Finance about the fiscal, revenue and tax reforms that have taken place and are moving the nation forward.
“The reforms on revenue will continue to stimulate growth. And the effect of the reform? Yes, some issues are difficult to take with the bitter medicine, but it is working well. For the economy, Nigeria is making serious foundational progress,’’ the President added.
While the meeting was attended by the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele and the Chairman of the Nigerian Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, the Deloitte Africa delegation was led by its Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Ruwayda Redfearn.
President Tinubu informed that the reforms had stimulated the economy, strengthened the fiscal and revenue sectors, repositioned financial institutions, and prepared the country to be more globally relevant and competitive.
He encouraged Deloitte Africa to improve its impact on the Nigerian economy by training and recruiting the dynamic youth population.
“The family of Deloitte; you just reminded me of my cradle years in accountancy and where I cut my childhood accounting teeth in Chicago. Deloitte has a good training programme, and I believe you will continue to reflect that,’’ he added.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, who spoke on the reforms and impact, enjoined the leadership of the accounting and business firm to focus on building capacity among the youth.
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