The Federal Authorities has appointed Dr. John Nwabueze as Nigeria’s first Tax Ombudsman, in keeping with the provisions of the Joint Income Board of Nigeria (Institution) Act, 2025.
A press release issued by the Particular Adviser to the President on Data and Technique, Bayo Onanuga, mentioned the appointment displays the President’s broader fiscal reform agenda aimed toward strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s income system and bettering compliance by equity and due course of.
Dr. Nwabueze, who hails from Oshimili South Native Authorities Space of Delta State, brings a long time of expertise spanning tax coverage, fiscal reform, and financial governance.
He has served as Managing Accomplice of a prime tax advisory agency, Technical Adviser to the Joint Senate Committees on the Federal Capital Territory and Finance, and Technical Adviser to the Chief Financial Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, amongst different roles in the private and non-private sectors.
The newly appointed ombudsman holds a Doctorate in Public Administration (Finance) from Walden College, Minneapolis, a Grasp’s diploma in Accounting from Strayer College, Washington, D.C., and twin Bachelor’s levels in Accounting and Arithmetic from the University of Jos.
Trusted to ship
In congratulating Dr. Nwabueze, President Tinubu expressed confidence in his “capability to discharge the obligations of the workplace with integrity, diligence, and utmost professionalism.”
The Workplace of the Tax Ombudsman, in line with the assertion, has been created to strengthen transparency and accountability inside Nigeria’s tax system and supply a structured mechanism for truthful and neutral decision of disputes between taxpayers and income authorities.
The workplace will deal with complaints associated to taxes, levies, regulatory charges, customs duties, excise issues, and associated points, guaranteeing that disputes are managed effectively, impartially, and in a non-adversarial method.
Watchdog to forestall abuse of energy
In keeping with the assertion, the Tax Ombudsman may even function a watchdog to forestall abuse of energy and arbitrary decision-making by tax officers. That is anticipated to reinforce taxpayer confidence, cut back litigation, and promote voluntary compliance with Nigeria’s tax legal guidelines.
“The creation of this workplace is an important step towards a extra clear and citizen-friendly tax administration,” the assertion added. “It offers people and companies a reputable platform to hunt redress the place they imagine tax authorities have acted unfairly or exterior the legislation.”
Many have described the institution of the workplace as a progressive reform that aligns Nigeria’s tax dispute decision system with world greatest practices.
Related workplaces exist in a number of superior economies, serving as an unbiased oversight mechanism that balances authorities income assortment with taxpayer rights.
Quick activity
Dr. Nwabueze’s speedy duties will embrace organising the institutional framework of the brand new workplace, creating commonplace working procedures for criticism decision, and dealing intently with companies such because the Federal Inland Income Service (FIRS), Nigeria Customs Service, and state income authorities to streamline processes and enhance coordination.
The transfer comes at a time when Nigeria is deepening its fiscal reforms below President Tinubu’s administration, specializing in broadening the tax base, lowering leakages, and bettering service supply throughout all revenue-generating establishments.
By establishing the Workplace of the Tax Ombudsman, the federal government goals to institutionalize equity and rebuild belief between taxpayers and tax authorities, an important step towards attaining sustainable financial development and bettering Nigeria’s funding local weather.
What you need to know
In September, Nairametrics reported that Nigeria’s tax reform legal guidelines have been formally revealed within the authorities gazette, marking a serious step in overhauling the nation’s fiscal framework.
- The reforms, signed into legislation on June 26, 2025, set up a brand new basis for taxation, administration, and income assortment in Africa’s largest economic system.
- Confirming the publication on his official X deal with, Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Coverage and Tax Reforms, famous that the brand new legal guidelines would modernize Nigeria’s tax system, enhance compliance, and create a extra business-friendly surroundings.
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