𝗔𝗣𝗖 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗸𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗴𝘀 𝗣𝗵𝗗 𝗜𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝘄, 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗔𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆.

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

12𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹, 2026.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Duerimini Isaac Kekemeke, has earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Law, adding a significant academic milestone to his long-standing career in public service and politics.

Kekemeke, who serves as the South-West Zonal Chairman (National Vice Chairman) of the APC, obtained the doctorate from Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, after successfully defending his thesis titled “Legal Analysis of an Effective Tax System as an Antidote to Systemic Corruption in Nigeria.”

Reflecting on the achievement in a post shared on his official Facebook page, he stated:

“Today, at the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, I successfully defended my PhD thesis… I argued that tax can be used as a veritable non-criminal option for a combative war against the menace of corruption in Nigeria.”

In his research, Kekemeke emphasized that Nigeria’s weak tax culture remains a major impediment to accountability and good governance. He observed that a large number of citizens fail to meet their tax obligations, particularly outside formal employment structures.

“Many Nigerians outside the public service and private corporations do not pay tax dutifully and regularly,” he said.

He maintained that consistent tax compliance would strengthen citizens’ sense of ownership of public funds and compel greater scrutiny of government actions.

“If citizens pay their taxes, they will own the national revenue and will thus hold leaders to account and become less tolerant of corruption,” he added.

The APC leader also advocated the introduction of strategic fiscal measures aimed at curbing illicit wealth accumulation.

“There is a need for intentional and innovative taxes to target ill-gotten wealth,” he noted.

According to him, an efficient and transparent tax system would significantly improve government revenue and national development outcomes.

“With an effective tax system and less corruption, more money will be available to government for investment in national development and growth,” he concluded.

Dr. Kekemeke is a seasoned lawyer and politician with extensive experience across multiple levels of governance. He has held several high-profile positions, including Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, and Commissioner for Works, Lands and Housing. He also served as Minority Leader of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Chairman of the APC in Ondo State, and Chairman of the National Examinations Council (NECO) Board.

He was recently returned as the APC South-West Zonal Chairman at the party’s zonal congress in Lagos and has previously contested the party’s governorship primaries in Ondo State, remaining a key figure in the region’s political landscape.

His latest academic feat is seen as a reinforcement of his long-held position on institutional reforms, particularly the role of taxation in addressing corruption and promoting sustainable development in Nigeria.