TaxOmbud pledges fairness, transparency in tax dispute resolution

John Nwabueze, Nigeria’s TaxOmbud has pledged to provide taxpayers with a fair, transparent and accessible mechanism for resolving disputes with revenue authorities, as the government presses ahead with reforms aimed at improving confidence in the country’s tax system.

Speaking at a breakfast meeting with financial correspondents in Abuja, Nwabueze said the newly established Office of the TaxOmbud would serve as an independent channel for addressing taxpayer grievances, protecting taxpayers’ rights and promoting trust between citizens and tax authorities.

The office was created under Nigeria’s new tax administration framework, one of the pillars of the government’s broader effort to overhaul the tax system, widen the revenue base and improve compliance.

“The Office of the TaxOmbud was created to provide accessible, timely and cost-effective mechanisms for addressing complaints, resolving disputes and promoting voluntary compliance,” Nwabueze said.

Nigeria has embarked on a series of tax reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration aimed at simplifying tax administration, improving revenue collection and creating a more predictable environment for businesses and individuals. The reforms have been championed by Taiwo Oyedele, finance minister and coordinating minister of the economy .

Nwabueze said the TaxOmbud’s mandate is to act as a bridge between taxpayers and revenue authorities through mediation, conciliation, stakeholder engagement and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms designed to reduce prolonged litigation and improve institutional efficiency.

The office recently launched its website, call center and case management portal, allowing individuals and businesses to file complaints online or by phone and track the status of their cases in real time.

According to Nwabueze, the digital platforms are intended to make dispute resolution more accessible and strengthen public confidence in the tax system by improving transparency and responsiveness.

“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,” he said.

Tax disputes have long been a source of friction between taxpayers and revenue agencies in Nigeria, with businesses often citing lengthy resolution processes and uncertainty over tax assessments. Authorities hope the establishment of an independent ombudsman will help address those concerns while encouraging greater voluntary compliance.

Nwabueze also called on financial journalists to support public awareness of the new institution and educate taxpayers on available channels for lodging complaints and seeking redress.

He said the success of ongoing tax reforms would depend not only on efficient revenue collection but also on fairness, accessibility and public trust, adding that the Office of the TaxOmbud was established to ensure taxpayers have confidence that grievances can be handled independently and transparently.

The office, he said, is ultimately intended to encourage citizens to better understand the tax system, meet their obligations and contribute to national development.