FG Commits to Protecting Taxpayers’ Rights
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting taxpayers’ rights through the Office of the Tax Ombud, describing it as a new channel for fairness and accountability in tax administration.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Tax Ombud, Dr. John Nwabueze, stated this during a stakeholders’ engagement organised on Thursday in Lagos.
Welcoming representatives of professional bodies, Dr. Nwabueze emphasized the theme of the engagement, “Promoting Fairness, Transparency and Trust in Nigeria,” as central to building confidence in the nation’s tax administration.
“Around the world, effective tax administration rests not only on legislation or enforcement but on public confidence. Citizens are more likely to comply voluntarily when they perceive the system as fair, transparent, impartial, predictable and accountable,” he said.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his “visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to reforming Nigeria’s tax system for fairness, inclusiveness and sustainability,” and praised Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele for advancing reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dr. Nwabueze explained that the Office of the Tax Ombud, established under the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act of 2025, was designed to protect taxpayers’ rights while complementing the work of tax authorities.
“The creation of the OTO reflects global best practices and demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to building an independent, impartial, and credible institution dedicated to protecting taxpayers’ rights,” he noted.
He outlined progress made since inception, including the establishment of governance structures, complaint-handling procedures, taxpayer education programs, a toll-free call centre, and a technology-driven case management system.
“We have also embarked on international benchmarking and peer-learning engagements with leading Tax Ombud institutions globally, recognizing that institutional excellence is built through continuous learning, collaboration and adaptation,” he added.
The CEO stressed that the engagement was not merely an institutional gathering but “a national conversation about strengthening the relationship between taxpayers and the government.”
“It is about rebuilding confidence in our tax and revenue institutions, ensuring that every taxpayer—whether an individual, a small business, or a multinational enterprise—is treated fairly, respectfully and in accordance with the law,” he explained.
He concluded by reaffirming the Office’s mission, “The repositioning we seek must begin with a simple but profound conviction—that the taxpayer is not an interruption of the work of our institutions. The taxpayer is the reason those institutions exist.”