LAGOS, Nigeria (FN) — Chief David Ajibola Olorunleke, the founding president of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), died peacefully in the early hours of Friday, October 24, 2025, at the age of 85, the institute announced.
Olorunleke, widely revered as the “Doyen of Taxation,” served as CITN’s first president from 1985 to 1995. He also held key national roles as executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry of Finance, and board member of FIRS.
“He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and an enduring champion of the tax profession in Nigeria,” CITN said in a statement signed by Registrar and Chief Executive Afolake Oso. “We kindly request your prayers, reflections, and tributes as we celebrate his life, honour his achievements, and reaffirm our commitment to advancing the profession he helped build.”
Condolence registers have been opened at CITN offices in Lagos and Abuja, where colleagues, admirers, and members of the public have begun paying their respects.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described Olorunleke’s passing as “a monumental loss to Nigeria’s intellectual and professional community.” In a statement issued by the presidency, Tinubu said, “Chief Olorunleke was a visionary who laid the foundation for modern tax administration in Nigeria. His legacy will continue to shape our fiscal institutions for generations.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also paid tribute, calling Olorunleke “a national asset whose contributions to public finance and governance were both pioneering and transformative.”
Family members expressed deep sorrow but pride in his legacy. “He was more than a father — he was a mentor to many,” said his eldest son, Tunde Olorunleke. “We are comforted by the impact he made and the lives he touched.”
Professional organizations across the country joined in mourning. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) hailed him as “a foundational figure in Nigeria’s financial evolution.” The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) described him as “a bridge between law, policy, and fiscal justice.” The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) called him “a pillar of fiscal reform,” while the Tax Justice Network Africa praised his “unwavering commitment to equity and transparency in taxation.”
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days. CITN said it will host a memorial symposium in his honor, celebrating his contributions to Nigeria’s tax system and public service.
