The Office of the Tax Ombud says six offices are to be established in the six geo-political zones in the country before the end of 2026.
The Tax Ombud/Chief Executive, Office of the Tax Ombud, Dr. John Nwabueze, who disclosed this during the fourth-quarter 2026 Breakfast Meeting with members of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) in Abuja said the take off of the offices was awaiting the final approval by the President.
Nwabueze said the decision to set up the six regional offices was part of efforts to bring the services Tax Ombud services closer to taxpayers, address complaints more efficiently and promote transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s tax and revenue administration system.
The Tax Ombud said the Office had, in recent weeks, intensified its stakeholder engagement and public awareness initiatives in line with its commitment to “bridging differences and building trust” within the tax and revenue administration system.
“Through collaborations with independent partner organisations and government agencies, as well as the strategic use of traditional and modern communication platforms, the Office aims to educate and empower taxpayers nationwide,” Dr. Nwabueze said.
One of such strategic communication channels, he said, was the plan by the Tax Ombud to conduct its services in at least ten Nigerian local languages to allow the people become abreast with the issues.
He disclosed that since its inception, the Office had handled a growing number of taxpayer complaints, with approximately 82 per cent of reported cases already addressed and brought to satisfactory resolution.
To further improve its efficiency and responsiveness, Dr. Nwabueze said the Office was streamlining its internal processes and planning to establish dedicated Tax Ombud desks within all 36 state tax authorities.
The initiative, he explained, would facilitate real-time case handling and strengthen communication between taxpayers and tax authorities.
He added that the Office recognised the critical role of state governments and federal agencies in advancing its mandate, noting that strong partnerships had already been established and feedback from state governments had been overwhelmingly positive.
“Meaningful cooperation with the National Assembly and other critical stakeholders continues to strengthen support for the Office’s activities and underscores its role as a neutral mediator in tax and revenue-related disputes, within the broader fiscal policy framework under the leadership of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy,” he said.
The Tax Ombud emphasised that the services of the Office were entirely free and encouraged taxpayers across the country to bring forward their complaints whenever they experienced challenges in their dealings with tax and revenue authorities.
He explained that the Office provides an accessible and cost-effective alternative to lengthy court proceedings by facilitating fair and impartial resolutions through constructive engagement between taxpayers and tax authorities. Where complaints cannot be resolved through this process, appropriate avenues for further escalation remain available.
“We are dedicated to building trust in the tax system and ensuring that all Nigerians have their voices heard. With the proposed launch of our regional offices and continued investment in public awareness and stakeholder engagement, we are confident in our ability to serve the nation better,” Dr. Nwabueze said.
