By OUR REPORTER
The Office of the Tax Ombud on Monday unveiled its official website, launched a taxpayer call centre, and deployed a digital case management portal as part of efforts to improve taxpayer protection, dispute resolution, and confidence in Nigeria’s tax administration system.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, the Tax Ombud and Chief Executive of the Office, John Nwabueze, described the development as “a landmark event” that signals the activation of a new public service architecture centred on accessibility, responsiveness, and citizen confidence.
Nwabueze praised the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for driving reforms aimed at creating a fair, inclusive, and sustainable tax system under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zach Adedeji, and the Executive Secretary of the Joint Revenue Board, Olusegun Adesokan, for their support in establishing and operationalising the office.
According to him, the Office of the Tax Ombud was created as an independent and impartial institution to provide taxpayers with accessible, timely, and cost-effective channels for resolving complaints and disputes while promoting voluntary tax compliance.
“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 the burden of prolonged litigation and enhance institutional efficiency,” he said.
Nwabueze noted that the newly launched digital platforms would enable taxpayers, businesses, and other stakeholders to engage with the office online and through telephone services, lodge complaints seamlessly, track cases in real time, and access taxpayer information and guidance more easily.
He added that users would also be able to engage directly with trained support personnel through the call centre and receive timely, transparent, and professional mediation and dispute resolution services.
Describing the platforms as reflective of global best practices in digital public service delivery, the Tax Ombud said the initiative would strengthen public trust and deepen the social contract between government and citizens as Nigeria continues its fiscal and tax reforms.
He stressed the need for collaboration with the media, civil society organisations, professional bodies, and other stakeholders to expand taxpayer education and awareness nationwide. “Our vision is simple but transformative: every Nigerian taxpayer — regardless of location, income level, or business size — should have access to fair hearing, efficient redress mechanisms, and quality taxpayer services,” he said.
The event was attended by members of the Federal Executive Council, heads of government institutions, development partners, and stakeholders in Nigeria’s tax and fiscal reform ecosystem.
