Tax Ombud Urges Revenue Authority Collaboration for Operational Efficiency
Nigeria’s Tax Ombud and Chief Executive of the Office of the Tax Ombud, John Nwabueze, has reassured tax and revenue authorities of his commitment to collaborate with institutions at both national and subnational levels to improve operational efficiency.
Speaking at the 159th meeting of the Joint Revenue Board (JRB) in Lagos, Nwabueze emphasised the role of the Tax Ombud in strengthening trust in Nigeria’s tax system amid ongoing reforms.
“The Office of the Tax Ombud represents one of the most significant institutional innovations in Nigeria. It was established as an independent and impartial body to guard taxpayer rights and promote administrative justice within the tax and revenue framework,” he said.
The JRB comprises the Revenue Boards of the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, alongside all tax and revenue-generating agencies in the country.
Nwabueze explained that the Office functions as a bridge between taxpayers and revenue authorities, receiving and investigating complaints and facilitating resolution through mediation and conciliation.
He stressed that these mechanisms are faster, more cost-effective, and less adversarial than litigation.
“The OTO helps to ensure that compliance with the new tax laws is driven not by fear or coercion, but by trust and understanding,” he added.
Highlighting the systemic role of the Office, he noted its watchdog function against arbitrary fiscal policies, taxpayer rights education, accountability mechanisms, and recommendations for reforms to improve efficiency, fairness, and transparency.
He clarified, however, that the Office does not determine tax liability nor replace the courts or the Tax Appeal Tribunal.
“Our focus is on ensuring that tax administration is conducted in a fair, transparent, and accountable manner,” he stated.
Nwabueze further described the Office as “a bold and progressive effort to harmonise revenue systems, expand the tax base, and improve compliance.”
He urged all revenue-generating agencies at federal, state, and local government levels to integrate the Tax Ombud into policy dialogues and engagements.
“Nigeria’s revenue administration depends on the seamless integration of all tax and revenue components, with the OTO as a critical pillar in the ecosystem,” he concluded.