…Vows fairness, transparency in tax administration
By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief
The Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) is set to launch a Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights and Obligations in the coming weeks as part of efforts to deepen taxpayer awareness, promote fairness and strengthen public trust in Nigeria’s tax administration.
The Tax Ombud and Chief Executive Officer of the OTO, Mr John Nwabueze, disclosed this yesterday at a stakeholders’ engagement in Abuja.
Nwabueze said the Bill would provide taxpayers with a clear understanding of their rights and responsibilities while setting out the standards of fairness, transparency and accountability they should expect from tax and revenue authorities.
He said the document would be made available through the OTO’s digital platforms and other public channels to ensure broad access.
“We believe this will strengthen taxpayer awareness, encourage voluntary compliance, prevent disputes and build greater trust across the tax ecosystem,” he said.
‘We’ll ensure fairness in tax administration’
Describing the stakeholders’ engagement as a key component of the OTO’s taxpayer rights campaign, Nwabueze pledged that the office would work to promote a fair, transparent and responsive tax system.
He said a simplified and equitable tax system was critical to building a new national consciousness and restoring public confidence in tax administration.
“This is not simply about discussing taxation and revenue. It is about strengthening the relationship between the taxpayer and the institutions responsible for administering public revenue,” he said.
Nwabueze said the OTO had commenced a structured public awareness and stakeholder sensitisation programme to improve understanding of its mandate, services and the rights available to taxpayers.
He explained that effective protection of taxpayers’ rights depended on citizens knowing those rights and understanding where and how to seek redress when they encountered difficulties.
The Tax Ombud disclosed that Nigeria’s OTO was the third institution of its kind established in Africa and the ninth globally, placing the country within the broader international development of modern tax administration.
Targets tax disputes
Nwabueze said the establishment of the OTO was designed to address gaps in Nigeria’s tax dispute-resolution framework, particularly administrative and procedural challenges faced by taxpayers in their dealings with revenue authorities.
“For many years, Nigeria’s tax and revenue dispute-resolution framework was largely built around objections to assessments, administrative review, the Tax Appeal Tribunal and the courts.
“While these mechanisms remain important for determining substantive tax liabilities, there was a gap for taxpayers who experienced administrative or procedural difficulties in their dealings with revenue authorities,” he said.
He said the tax reforms initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu were aimed at addressing weaknesses in the tax and revenue system, including fragmentation, complexity and the burden of multiple taxes.
The Office of the Tax Ombud, he explained, was established under Part VI of the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025.
According to him, the office receives, investigates and resolves complaints relating to taxes, levies, regulatory fees and charges, customs duties and excise matters.
Nwabueze also disclosed that the OTO had launched its website, interactive contact centre and case management portal to make it easier for taxpayers to access its services.
He said the digital platforms enable taxpayers to submit complaints, obtain information, track their cases and receive timely assistance.
The CEO added that the office was progressively digitising its internal processes and service delivery systems to improve efficiency and reduce reliance on manual processes.
He said the objective was not merely to deploy technology, but to use it to deliver faster, more transparent and accountable taxpayer services.
OTO plans zonal offices
Nwabueze further disclosed that the office was expanding its presence across the country, with at least three zonal offices expected to commence operations within the next few weeks.
According to him, the move would bring taxpayer protection services closer to Nigerians, particularly those outside the Federal Capital Territory who may face difficulties accessing the OTO.
Meanwhile, representatives of the organised private sector, including the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABUCCIMA), called for an end to multiple taxation.
They also urged the government to humanise tax administration and ensure adequate consultation with businesses in implementing the new tax laws.
The business groups warned that inadequate consultation and excessive taxation could undermine businesses, investment and economic growth.
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