The Office of the Tax Ombud has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting fairness, transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s tax and revenue administration, as key stakeholders called for stronger collaboration and greater taxpayer compliance.

The Office made the commitment at a stakeholder engagement forum themed “Promoting Fairness, Transparency, and Trust in Tax and Revenue Administration in Nigeria.” The event brought together government officials, private-sector leaders, civil society organisations and media representatives to deliberate on ways to strengthen taxpayer confidence and build a more responsive, equitable and trusted tax system.

In his welcome address, the Tax Ombud/Chief Executive, Dr. John C. Nwabueze, emphasised the institution’s mandate and the importance of balancing revenue collection with taxpayers’ rights.

He said: “Tax administration is not simply about collecting revenue; it is about building a system where taxpayers understand their obligations, feel fairly treated, and trust the institutions responsible. We are here to bridge gaps, protect rights, and ensure that the power to collect is matched by a commitment to fairness and accountability.”

Dr. Nwabueze noted that Nigeria was the third African country to adopt the tax ombud mechanism, describing the development as an important step towards aligning the country’s tax administration with global best practices and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said the services of the Office are available to individuals, businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), tax practitioners and tax authorities. He added that plans were underway to expand the Office’s physical presence to all states and, ultimately, local government areas across the country.

According to him, the Office handles complaints that are operational, procedural and administrative in nature, rather than judicial matters or disputes over tax assessments, which fall within the jurisdiction of the Tax Appeal Tribunal.

Dr. Nwabueze explained that the Office has 14 days to resolve a complaint, with a possible seven-day extension where necessary. He added that unresolved matters could be escalated to the National Assembly in accordance with the law.

Addressing concerns about the accessibility and impartiality of the institution, Dr. Nwabueze said: “Our institution is impartial, accessible, and most importantly, free to all taxpayers. We are committed to timely, professional mediation and to escalating systemic issues to the highest levels for policy remedies. We call on all stakeholders for increased partnership. The journey to a trusted tax system is a collective one.”

The Tax Ombud also assured taxpayers that a Taxpayer Bill of Rights and Obligations Charter would be launched soon. He further outlined plans for regional expansion to ensure that taxpayers across Nigeria have practical access to effective redress mechanisms.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, the Minister’s representative, Mr. Olufemi Olarinde, described the Office of the Tax Ombud as a new and independent institution established to address taxpayer grievances, promote systemic reforms and serve as a bridge between taxpayers and revenue authorities.

He commended the Office for its commitment to greater collaboration, digital innovation and a shared pursuit of accountability, fairness and trust in Nigeria’s tax administration.

The event also featured goodwill messages from representatives of various government agencies and private-sector stakeholders, underscoring broad-based support for reforms in the tax and revenue ecosystem.

Representing the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mr. Emmanuel Sunday Inyang, the Director of Finance and Accounts, representing the Registrar-General, said a sustainable tax system depended on taxpayers understanding their obligations and being treated fairly.

He stressed the importance of transparency, efficient business registration systems and inter-agency collaboration in strengthening tax administration, adding that protecting taxpayers’ rights and fostering mutual trust between taxpayers and government were equally essential.

Representing the FCT Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Hassan Usman said transparency and accessible services were critical to building confidence in the tax system.

Representing the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Dr. Olufemi Ayinla Nurudeen Babalola, the Director of Finance and Accounts, noted ongoing efforts to formalise tax processes and acknowledged the role of the Tax Ombud in dispute resolution and the protection of the rights of investors and operators in free zones.

The Director-General of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Ms. Vivian Chimizia Azubuike, emphasised the need for fairness, transparency and trust in tax policies affecting the maritime sector, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.

She also called for greater stakeholder engagement and institutionalised consultation before the issuance of new tax circulars, stressing that fairness and swift dispute resolution should become the norm.

The engagement featured a robust panel discussion with representatives of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), fintech associations, and the ICT team of the Office of the Tax Ombud.

The discussions focused on practical measures to strengthen taxpayer confidence, improve dispute resolution, promote digital innovation and foster greater collaboration among tax authorities, businesses and other stakeholders.