Taxombud

PRESS RELEASE
Date: July 7, 2026

Tax Ombud Charges Staff to Uphold Quality Service, Integrity

The Tax Ombud/Chief Executive, Dr. John Nwabueze, has charged staff of the Office of the Tax Ombud to uphold integrity and quality service delivery as the core guiding principles of the institution.

Dr. Nwabueze made the call on Monday during the induction ceremony for the pioneer staff of the Office. The programme was themed "Building Institutional Excellence Through Shared Purpose and Professional Commitment."

He urged the pioneer staff to remain committed to effective tax dispute resolution as a means of promoting voluntary tax compliance, reducing friction between taxpayers and tax authorities, and significantly diminishing public scepticism about tax administration.

The Tax Ombud stressed that building a modern and sustainable institution requires discipline, punctuality, adherence to acceptable work standards, and strict compliance with the laws, regulations, and operational guidelines of the Office of the Tax Ombud.

According to Dr. Nwabueze, every member of staff has a responsibility to contribute meaningfully to the successful delivery of the Office's mandate, which represents one of the landmark achievements of the ongoing tax reform agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. He noted that the reforms are aimed at building a fair, efficient, and citizen-centred tax system.

He further emphasised that staff must ensure taxpayers receive efficient, professional, and timely services. He added that the Office has intensified stakeholder engagement across the country to increase public awareness of taxpayer rights and the various channels available for resolving tax disputes.

Dr. Nwabueze assured the staff of a conducive work environment, quality training opportunities, and improved conditions of service, in line with the applicable laws and guidelines.

As part of efforts to improve accessibility and public engagement, Dr. Nwabueze disclosed that the Office recently unveiled its official website and launched a toll-free call centre and a digital Case Management System, all of which are operated by competent personnel. He explained that these platforms enable taxpayers to obtain information, lodge complaints online or via telephone at no cost, and monitor the progress of their cases in real time.

The two-day induction programme featured presentations and knowledge-sharing sessions facilitated by experts and senior staff of the Office.

Chukwudi Achife
Chief Press Secretary to the Tax Ombud

BIRTHDAY FELICITATION TO THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND COORDINATING MINISTER OF THE ECONOMY

On behalf of the management and staff of the Office of the Tax Ombud, I warmly congratulate the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, on the occasion of his birthday.

R-L: The Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, and Tax Ombud/Chief Executive, Office of the Tax Ombud, Dr. John Nwabueze, during an audience with the former at the Government House, Enugu, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

PRESS RELEASE
Date: June 16, 2026

Enugu to Host South-East Zonal Headquarters of the Office of the Tax Ombud

Enugu State has been designated as the South-East Zonal Headquarters of the Office of the Tax Ombud, a development expected to enhance taxpayer support services and contribute to improving the tax-to-GDP ratio of both the state and the nation by bringing services closer to individuals and businesses across the region.

The Tax Ombud/Chief Executive, Office of the Tax Ombud, Dr. John Nwabueze, disclosed this during an audience with the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, at the Government House, Enugu, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

Recognising Enugu State as one of Nigeria's foremost industrial and commercial hubs, Dr. Nwabueze noted that the state occupies a strategic position in the operations of the Office, given its expanding economic activities and significant contribution to revenue generation.

He observed that tax-related disputes, including the challenge of multiple taxation, are inevitable in a vibrant commercial environment and stressed that the Office of the Tax Ombud was established to provide timely, transparent, impartial and amicable mechanisms for resolving disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities.

"While the payment of taxes remains an inalienable civic responsibility, taxpayers equally deserve to be treated fairly, respectfully and in accordance with the law as they fulfil this obligation," he stated.

The Tax Ombud further explained that effective dispute resolution would encourage voluntary compliance, reduce friction between taxpayers and tax authorities, and significantly diminish public scepticism towards tax matters.

According to him, the establishment of the Office of the Tax Ombud represents one of the landmark achievements of the ongoing tax reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, aimed at building a fair, efficient and citizen-centred tax system.

As part of efforts to improve accessibility and public engagement, Dr. Nwabueze disclosed that the Office recently unveiled its official website and launched a toll-free call centre and a digital case management portal. These platforms enable taxpayers to obtain information, lodge complaints online or by telephone at no cost, and monitor the progress of their cases in real time.

Dr. Nwabueze called for strategic collaboration with the Enugu State Government to deepen taxpayer protection, promote voluntary tax compliance and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria's evolving tax administration system.

He explained that the Office of the Tax Ombud is an independent and impartial institution established under the Joint Tax Board (Establishment) Act, 2025, with the mandate to receive, review and resolve complaints relating to taxes, levies, regulatory fees, charges, customs duties and excise matters.

Responding, Governor Mbah expressed the state's readiness to host the regional headquarters, including the provision of the necessary facilities. He added that Enugu is a fitting host for an important institution such as the Office of the Tax Ombud, citing his administration's commitment to growing the state's economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion within eight years through private sector-driven investments.

The Governor told his august visitor that the establishment of the Office of the Tax Ombud is particularly critical at a time when his administration is intensifying efforts to block revenue leakages and widen the tax net. He noted that the Office would help improve tax compliance and boost revenue generation.

He also lauded President Tinubu for his reform initiatives, particularly the tax reforms necessary to drive sustainable revenue growth required for government to provide quality education, healthcare, infrastructure and other essential public services.

Chukwudi Achife
Chief Press Secretary to the Tax Ombud

L-R: Tax Ombud/Chief Executive, Office of the Tax Ombud, Dr John Nwabueze, and Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, during former's courtesy visit to the Minister on Monday, June 16, 2026

From Ogbueshi to National Service, Asagba Celebrates Tax Ombud

From Ogbueshi to National Service, Asagba Celebrates Tax Ombud - Daily Commerce The colourful civic reception, hosted by Asagba of Asaba, HRM Professor Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON, was organised in honour of Dr. Nwabueze

PRESS RELEASE
June 10, 2026

Tax Ombud, Finance Correspondents Parley to Deepen Taxpayer Rights Awareness

As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen public awareness of Nigeria’s tax reforms and promote taxpayer education, the Tax Ombud/Chief Executive of the Office of the Tax Ombud, Dr. John Nwabueze, on June 9, 2026, hosted members of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) to a breakfast meeting, seeking the media’s partnership in educating Nigerians on taxpayer rights and responsibilities.

Describing taxation as a globally recognized civic obligation, Dr. Nwabueze underscored the critical role of the media in promoting public awareness, enhancing voluntary tax compliance, and improving Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio through a fair, transparent, and efficient tax administration system.

According to him: “Paying taxes is a civic responsibility in every part of the world, including Nigeria. Once the system becomes fair and unnecessary burdens are removed, many people who have remained outside the tax net will willingly come forward and fulfil their obligations.”

Dr. Nwabueze commended His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the far-reaching tax reforms that led to the establishment of the Office of the Tax Ombud, which provides a cost-effective and efficient alternative dispute resolution mechanism within Nigeria’s tax and revenue administration ecosystem.

The Tax Ombud also praised the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, for his leadership and commitment to transforming Nigeria’s tax administration framework.

He noted that, in the past, many taxpayers suffered in silence because they lacked an arbiter through which to seek redress when confronted with multiple taxation, arbitrary assessments, or overlapping demands from government agencies. According to him, the Office of the Tax Ombud was established to address these challenges and safeguard the rights of taxpayers, as well as increasing tax compliance.

Dr. Nwabueze stated: “Recently, we unveiled our website and launched our Call Centre and Case Management Portal, enabling individuals, businesses, and other stakeholders to access taxpayer information more easily, submit complaints online or by telephone, and monitor the progress of their cases in real time.”

He called on the media to partner with the Office in raising public awareness and helping taxpayers understand and utilize the complaint channels established by the Office of the Tax Ombud.

According to the Tax Ombud, the Office serves as an independent watchdog under Nigeria’s new tax administration framework, acting as a bridge between taxpayers and tax authorities. He explained that the Office is mandated to resolve disputes promptly through dialogue, mediation, and other alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, thereby reducing the need for prolonged and costly litigation.

Dr. Nwabueze expressed confidence that greater collaboration between the Office and the media would enhance public trust in the tax system, strengthen taxpayer protection, and contribute to sustainable revenue generation for national development.

Chukwudi Achife
Chief Press Secretary to the Tax Ombud