Nigeria’s Tax Ombudsman begins operations January 1

The Office of the Tax Ombudsman of Nigeria says it will commence full operations on January 1, 2026.

Chukwudi Achife, the Chief Press Secretary to the Tax Ombudsman/Chief Executive Officer, disclosed this in a statement.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Dr. John Nwabueze was recently appointed by President Bola Tinubu as the pioneer Tax Ombudsman and Chief Executive of the Office of the Tax Ombudsman.

Achife said that upon announcing Nwabueze as Ombudsman CEO, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had stated that the office was established to strengthen transparency and accountability within the tax system, enhance confidence in tax administration.

This, he said, would be providing a structured mechanism for the fair and impartial resolution of disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities.

He quoted Onanuga to have said: “The Office of the Tax Ombudsman will receive, review, and resolve complaints about taxes, levies, regulatory fees, customs duties, excise matters, and other related issues in accordance with extant laws and regulations.

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“The office also has the power to institute legal proceedings on behalf of the taxpayer at no cost to the taxpayer.

“It will also provide information on the functions of the tax authorities and to raise awareness of taxpayer rights and obligations.”

Achife added that the establishment of the new office demonstrated President Tinubu’s dedication to amicable and seamless tax dispute resolution and to protecting taxpayers’ rights to challenge arbitrary actions by tax and revenue authorities.

He further commended the President’s economic policies, which he noted were now stabilising the Nigerian economy and “guiding the country toward sustainable prosperity”.

The policies, he emphasised, had led to a declining inflation rate, a stable exchange rate, growing reserves, higher investor confidence, a bullish market, and an export surplus.

According to him, Nwabueze, who has over two decades of experience in tax administration and policy in Nigeria and the United States shares in the President’s pragmatic leadership approach.

“Establishing the Office of the Tax Ombud shows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ingenuity and foresight in reforming tax administration to ensure fairness, accountability, and efficiency.” he said.

He said the Tax Ombudsman CEO also lauded the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, for his role in implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda across all sectors of the economy.

Achife stated that Nwabueze’s office had lined up a number of activities, including press briefings and sessions with various stakeholders to inform Nigerians of his vision and plans for a fair, transparent, accountable, and efficient tax justice system.

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