Tax Ombud Says 82% of Complaints Resolved
…Plans Six Regional Offices Across Nigeria
By Patience Ikpeme
The Office of the Tax Ombud says it has dealt with about 82 per cent of the taxpayer complaints it has received, and it plans to open six regional offices, one in each of the country’s geopolitical zones, before the end of 2026.
The Tax Ombud and Chief Executive of the Office, Dr. John Nwabueze, gave the figures in Abuja on Friday at the fourth-quarter 2026 Breakfast Meeting with members of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN). The Office organised the meeting.
Dr. Nwabueze said the planned regional offices are meant to bring the Office’s services closer to taxpayers. They are also meant to help it deal with complaints faster and to promote openness and accountability in the way taxes and other government revenues are managed.
He said the offices will start work only after final approval from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The release gave no locations for the offices.
Since it began work, the Office has handled a growing number of taxpayer complaints, Dr. Nwabueze said. About 82 per cent of the cases reported to it have been dealt with and brought to what he called a satisfactory resolution. He gave no total number of complaints.
To work faster, the Office is streamlining its internal processes. It also plans to set up Tax Ombud desks in all 36 state tax authorities. Dr. Nwabueze explained that the desks would allow cases to be handled in real time and improve communication between taxpayers and the tax authorities.
Dr. Nwabueze said the Office has stepped up its talks with stakeholders and its public awareness work in recent weeks. This is in line with its commitment to “bridging differences and building trust” in the tax and revenue 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,” he said.
The Tax Ombud said state governments and federal agencies play an important part in the Office’s work. He said strong partnerships have already been formed, and that feedback from state governments has been “overwhelmingly positive”.
He also spoke about the National Assembly and other key stakeholders. “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.
Dr. Nwabueze said the Office’s services cost nothing. He urged taxpayers across the country to bring their complaints whenever they have problems dealing with tax and revenue authorities.
He said the Office offers an easier and cheaper alternative to long court cases. It tries to reach fair and impartial settlements by bringing taxpayers and tax authorities together to talk. Where a complaint cannot be settled this way, he said, other routes for taking it further remain open.
“We are dedicated to building trust in the tax system and ensuring that all Nigerians have their voices heard,” Dr. Nwabueze said. “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.”
