Taiwo Oyedele inspiring rise story from rural Ondo poverty to PwC partner and Finance Minister highlights resilience, ambition and success

From humble beginnings to global influence: The inspiring story of Taiwo Oyedele
He was born in a rural community in Ondo State in the mid-1970s.

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At age five, he nearly missed out on starting primary school because he was considered too small he couldn’t reach his right ear with his left hand.

He was eventually admitted because his twin sister could meet the requirement. Since they were born on the same day, it wouldn’t make sense to admit one and reject the other.

Throughout both primary and secondary school, he consistently ranked as the top student in his class.

Paying school fees was a constant struggle ₦50 was often difficult to raise. He supported himself by working on farms during weekends, earning between ₦5 and ₦10.

The challenge intensified when it was time to register for WAEC, which cost ₦495. He needed months of farm work to afford it, and dropping out became a real possibility.

Fortunately, a community association of his village indigenes working in Ajaokuta Steel offered a scholarship to the best student in his school he earned it, which enabled him to sit for WAEC and continue his education.

He passed the exam with excellent results.

Like many children from rural backgrounds, he was uncertain about his next steps.

An uncle suggested he pursue social sciences and register for ICAN his first time hearing about the professional body.

He wrote the university entrance exam and scored around 220, applying to study Accounting at Ife and Unilag.

However, he was offered different courses like Estate Management and Economics Education, which he declined.

He was determined to study Accounting.

He eventually enrolled at a polytechnic in Ado Ekiti, where he secured admission to study Accounting.

That decision marked the beginning of a career that would later bring him recognition and financial success.

While pursuing his ND, he simultaneously registered for ICAN funding it by selling his allocated hostel bed space.

After completing his ND, he moved to Lagos for industrial training and extended his stay to gather more funds for his ICAN exams.

He later gained admission into Yabatech for his HND, excelled in his ICAN exams, and even earned a scholarship from his tuition centre for the final stage.

He became a chartered accountant in 1999 and completed his HND in 2000.

Next came his entry into PwC.

While living in Surulere, a friend informed him about a recruitment test being organized by PwC.

Not fully aware of what PwC was, he followed his friend to the test centre and participated.

He passed the test his friend did not.

Since he hadn’t completed his national service, he was offered the opportunity to serve with the firm instead of immediate employment.

He joined PwC as a corps member in 2001.

In less than eight years, by 2009, he rose from a corps member to becoming a partner equivalent to an executive director role in many multinational firms.

He has since spent over a decade as a partner, eventually becoming the Tax Leader for PwC across Africa.

From working on farms to fund his education, he evolved into a highly respected and articulate executive widely recognized as a leading voice in tax and fiscal policy in Nigeria.

He was later appointed Chairman of the Presidential Tax Reform Committee, tasked with overhauling Nigeria’s tax system and positioning the country among leading global economies.

Today, he serves as Minister of State for Finance.