Picture CAPTION: L-R: The Tax Ombud/Chief Executive, Dr. John Nwabueze (3rd from left), with the representative of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Olufemi Olarinde; Head of ICT, Office of the Tax Ombud, Udobong Johnson Morrison; Fintech Association of Nigeria’s representative, Abiola Jimohi; NACIMA’s representative, Barr. Nwachukwu C. Okafor and representative of Manufacturer’s Association of Nigeria, Mr. Adeyemi Folorunsho, at the stakeholders engagement in Abuja.
The Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) is considering the unveiling of a Bill of Rights and Obligations aimed at equipping taxpayers with the knowledge of their rights and obligations under Nigeria’s new tax regime.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Office, Dr. John Nwabueze, who disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja at a stakeholders’ engagement on the theme: “Promoting Fairness, Transparency and Trust in Tax Administration in Nigeria”, said the charter is expected to be unveiled within the coming weeks.
Nwabueze said the charter would provide taxpayers with a clear understanding of their rights and responsibilities as well as the standards of fairness, transparency and accountability they should expect from the various tax and revenue authorities.
The Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights and Obligations, he said, would be made available through the Tax Ombud’s digital platforms and other public channels.
Urging tax and revenue authorities to support the initiative by disseminating the document through their offices and digital platforms, Nwabueze said the Ombud’s Office believes this would strengthen taxpayer awareness, encourage voluntary compliance, prevent disputes and build greater trust across the tax ecosystem.
He disclosed that the Ombud’s Office has commenced a structured programme of public awareness and stakeholder sensitisation aimed at improving understanding of its mandate, services and the rights available to taxpayers.
The initiative, he said, was critical because the rights of citizens can only be protected effectively when they are made to understand those rights and know where and how to seek redress.
Meanwhile, Nwabueze used the occasion to reaffirm the commitment of the Ombud’s Office to promoting fairness, transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s tax and revenue administration.
He said the Stakeholders’ Forum, which brought together government officials, private-sector leaders, civil society organisations and media representatives, was to provide the platform to deliberate on ways to strengthen taxpayer confidence and build a more responsive, equitable and trusted tax system.
Nwabueze, emphasised the Ombud’s Office mandate and the importance of balancing revenue collection with taxpayers’ rights, saying tax administration was not simply about collecting revenue, but also 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,” he said
Nigeria, he said, was the third African country to adopt the tax ombud mechanism, describing it as an important step towards aligning the country’s tax administration with global best practices.
He said the services of the Ombud’s Office are available to individuals, businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), tax practitioners and tax authorities, adding that plans were underway to expand the Office’s physical presence to all states and, ultimately, local government areas across the country.
Highlighting the Ombud’s Office mandate, Nwabueze said 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, while 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 restated the Ombud’s Office as an impartial institution that is 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,” he said.
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 Director of Finance and Accounts, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mr. Emmanuel Sunday Inyang, who represented the Registrar-General, said
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.
The Representative of the FCT Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Hassan Usman said transparency and accessible services were critical to building confidence in the tax system.
The representative of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Dr. Olufemi Babalola, 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.
