The Tax Ombud and Chief Executive of the Office of Tax Ombud, Dr John Nwabueze, has assured that the establishment of the office will address the unfair treatment of taxpayers by tax authorities. Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Nwabueze noted that many taxpayers have historically been treated unjustly due to the lack of an independent body to report grievances.
New Era of Tax Administration
Dr Nwabueze emphasized that the creation of the Office of the Tax Ombud under Nigeria's new tax administration framework represents a significant milestone in enhancing transparency, accountability, fairness, and taxpayer confidence. He stated, “The Office provides an independent mechanism for addressing taxpayers’ rights and promoting trust between tax authorities and citizens. We are here to listen to the grievances of taxpayers.”
Global Standards for Tax Systems
He further explained that modern tax systems worldwide are built not only on efficient revenue mobilization but also on fairness, accessibility, dispute resolution, and public trust. The Office of the Tax Ombud was established to offer accessible, timely, and cost-effective mechanisms for addressing and resolving disputes, thereby promoting voluntary compliance.
Dr Nwabueze commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reforming Nigeria's tax system to introduce fairness, inclusiveness, and sustainability. He reiterated, “Our mandate is clear: to serve as a trusted bridge between taxpayers and revenue authorities through mediation, conciliation, stakeholder engagement, and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms that reduce prolonged litigation and enhance institutional efficiency.”
