Amid unease among many Nigerians over Federal Government’s roll-out of a new tax regime, Office of the Tax Ombud has assured Nigerian taxpayers of improved protection and fair treatment as it implements guidelines designed to safeguard taxpayer rights, strengthen trust, and enhance voluntary tax compliance.
The assurance followed a meeting held recently in Abuja in the office of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Office of the Tax Ombud, Dr. John Nwabueze, with a delegation of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, led by its Chairman, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele.
Also at the meeting was Executive Secretary, Joint Revenue Board (JRB), Mr. Olusegun Adesokan.
Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Nwabueze described the Office of the Tax Ombud as a newly established independent mediator and arbiter committed to promoting fairness and transparency in Nigeria’s tax system, towards improving the investment climate and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Dr. Nwabueze stated that the Office would actively engage Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to ensure that taxpayers are adequately informed of their rights and obligations under the tax regime.
He said: “We will launch sustained public awareness campaigns to educate taxpayers on their rights and the seamless processes for lodging complaints. We will also engage the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and other relevant stakeholders to clarify their rights and obligations under Nigeria’s tax laws.”
Dr. Nwabueze commended the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms for providing a comprehensive operational framework for the Office of the Tax Ombud.
He noted that the framework is largely aligned with the Office’s internal processes and strategic plans.
In his response, Mr. Oyedele stressed that the success of President Tinubu’s tax reform agenda depends significantly on the effectiveness of the Office of the Tax Ombud, describing it as a critical assurance to taxpayers of the government’s commitment to fairness and the protection of their rights.
Mr. Oyedele assured the Ombud of his continued commitment to providing necessary support, particularly during its formative stage, to enable the body effectively discharge its statutory mandate.
The meeting also deliberated on strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s tax system through effective taxpayer protection, institutional collaboration, and improved policy coordination under the existing Tax Implementation Framework Committee.
*PHOTO CAPTION: R-L: Tax Ombud/CEO, Dr. John Nwabueze; Chairman, Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr Taiwo Oyedele; and Executive Secretary, Joint Revenue Board, Mr. Olusegun Adesokan, after a meeting recently at the Office of Tax Ombud.
