Tax Ombud settles 82% of cases, seeks expansion

The Office of the Tax Ombud has approached President Bola Tinubu for permission to establish six regional offices across Nigeria's geopolitical zones. Since its inception, the office has resolved around 82 percent of taxpayer complaints, according to Dr. John Nwabueze, the Chief Executive of the office. During a breakfast meeting with members of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria in Abuja, Nwabueze revealed that the proposed expansion aims to enhance access to dispute resolution services and bolster accountability in tax administration.

The regional offices are expected to begin operations before the end of 2026, provided Tinubu gives his approval. Nwabueze stated that these offices would bring complaint resolution services closer to taxpayers, particularly those residing outside Abuja, and expedite the resolution process. In addition to the regional offices, the office plans to set up dedicated desks within all 36 state tax authorities to ensure real-time complaint handling and improved communication between taxpayers and revenue agencies.

The Tax Ombud has also been streamlining its internal processes to strengthen its responsiveness and efficiency. Collaboration with state governments and federal agencies has been beneficial, with positive feedback from state authorities. The office has intensified public awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagement to educate taxpayers about their rights and complaint mechanisms, all of which are provided free of charge.