‎Tax Ombud Will Bridge Gap Between Taxpayers, Authorities – Information Minister
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‎The Federal Government has described the Office of the Tax Ombud as a critical bridge between taxpayers and revenue authorities, aimed at strengthening transparency, fairness, and public trust in Nigeria’s tax administration system.
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‎Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this on Monday in Abuja during the unveiling of the Tax Ombud Office’s official website and the launch of its toll-free call centre.
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‎According to the minister, the initiative represents a major milestone in improving accessibility and ensuring Nigerians have access to a fair and professional complaint-resolution mechanism within the nation’s tax system.
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‎“The Tax Ombud Office serves as an important bridge between taxpayers and tax authorities by ensuring that Nigerians have access to a fair and professional complaint-resolution mechanism,” Idris said.
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‎He noted that the launch of the toll-free call centre and official website would help eliminate communication barriers by allowing citizens to easily seek information, make enquiries, and resolve complaints without financial burden or unnecessary delays.
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‎“The launch of the Toll-Free Call Centre demonstrates a commitment to removing communication barriers and ensuring that Nigerians can easily seek information, make enquiries, and resolve complaints without unnecessary difficulties or financial burden,” he added.
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‎The minister stressed that sustainable tax administration cannot rely solely on enforcement but must be built on transparency, fairness, public trust, and effective communication.
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‎“Tax administration cannot succeed on enforcement alone. It must be supported by public trust, transparency, fairness, and effective communication,” he stated.
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‎Idris further explained that taxation remains central to national development because it provides government with resources needed to fund infrastructure, healthcare, education, transportation, and security.
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‎He said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to implementing strategic reforms that will strengthen revenue generation, support fiscal sustainability, and drive national development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
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‎The minister also emphasised the importance of tax education and public enlightenment in promoting voluntary compliance and responsible citizenship.
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‎“Tax education is not just about revenue generation; it is about building a culture of national participation and shared responsibility,” he said.
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‎Warning against misinformation and poor communication, Idris said distorted narratives often weaken reform efforts and fuel public distrust. He therefore called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, the media, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to sustain public confidence in ongoing reforms.
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‎“Misinformation and inadequate communication often contribute to distrust and resistance to reforms. This underscores the importance of strategic media engagement and sustained public communication,” he noted.
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‎The minister reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to partner with the Tax Ombud Office and other relevant agencies in educating Nigerians on tax reforms, taxpayers’ rights, and available complaint-resolution channels.
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‎He congratulated the Tax Ombud Office on the successful launch of the digital platforms and urged stakeholders to continue working together to build a transparent, efficient, and citizen-focused tax administration system.
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‎Other dignitaries at the event included the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack; and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Tax Ombud Office, John C. Nwabueze.