The Chief Executive of the Office of the Tax Ombud, Dr. John Nwabueze, has disclosed that the agency will unveil its official website and call centre in the coming weeks as part of efforts to improve taxpayer access to information and dispute resolution services.
Nwabueze made this known during a media chat held in Lagos on Thursday, where he outlined plans to deepen the institution’s digital presence and expand its physical footprint nationwide.
According to him, calls to the centres will be toll-free.
He added that the new digital platforms will make it easier for Nigerians to file complaints, monitor the resolution of cases, and engage the office through online and telephone channels.
Dr Nwabueze said the initiative is aimed at strengthening public understanding of the tax system and encouraging voluntary tax compliance.
Nwabueze said Nigeria’s drive toward a modernised tax system must be built on trust rather than coercion.
He noted that taxpayers need confidence that the government will deploy tax revenues for the public good, while tax authorities must operate fairly and transparently.
He added that citizens must also be assured that an independent and impartial institution exists to address grievances when disputes arise.
Responding to questions on the independence of the agency, Nwabueze said the law establishing the Office of the Tax Ombud clearly guarantees its autonomy.
He explained that while some countries operate tax ombudsman structures within government revenue agencies, Nigeria adopted an independent model similar to systems in South Africa and the United States.
He said the office was created primarily to assist Nigerians in resolving tax-related disputes, especially longstanding complaints involving agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigeria Customs Service.
Nwabueze also said the agency has been mandated to operate across federal and subnational levels.
He said the enabling Act provides for an initial headquarters in Abuja and six regional offices.
According to him, the office plans to establish additional state offices from next year before extending operations to all 774 local government areas across the country.
In November last year, President Bola Tinubu appointed Dr. John Nwabueze as Nigeria’s first Tax Ombudsman, in line with the provisions of the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025.
According to the Presidency, the Tax Ombudsman will also serve as a watchdog to prevent abuse of power and arbitrary decision-making by tax officials. This is expected to enhance taxpayer confidence, reduce litigation, and promote voluntary compliance with Nigeria’s tax laws.
Dr. Nwabueze, who hails from Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, brings decades of experience spanning tax policy, fiscal reform, and economic governance.
He has served as Managing Partner of a top tax advisory firm, Technical Adviser to the Joint Senate Committees on the Federal Capital Territory and Finance, and Technical Adviser to the Chief Economic Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, among other roles in the public and private sectors.
