Lawyers Back Tax Ombud Drive to Boost Voluntary Compliance, Revenue Growth
By Patience Ikpeme
Nigerian lawyers renewed their support for the Office of the Tax Ombud’s voluntary tax compliance drive, arguing that improved trust and accessible dispute resolution are essential to increasing government revenue for infrastructure and social services.
This was disclosed at the Nigerian Bar Association’s 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt,
The panel discussion, themed “Pay Now, Prosper Later,” featured Tax Ombud and Chief Executive Dr. John Nwabueze alongside senior legal figures including Ahmed Raji, SAN. Panelists highlighted taxation as a primary revenue stream and praised the Ombud’s role in strengthening taxpayer confidence.
“Our mandate is to provide an independent, impartial platform where taxpayers can lodge complaints and expect timely, equitable resolution,” Dr. Nwabueze said. “By alleviating administrative and procedural burdens, we aim to foster trust between citizens and tax authorities.”
Since opening to the public in January, the Office has received 22 complaints and resolved 14, a performance Dr. Nwabueze described as an encouraging start. “These early results show the Office can deliver practical outcomes for taxpayers and help bridge the trust gap in tax administration,” he said.
Ahmed Raji, SAN, stressed that voluntary compliance depends on fairness and transparency. “Taxpayers are more likely to pay when they believe the system treats them fairly and routes for redress work,” he said. “The Ombud’s non-judicial approach can resolve matters faster and reduce pressure on courts.”
Panelists noted the Office’s potential to accelerate revenue mobilization by lowering compliance costs and disputes. “Early dispute resolution not only restores confidence, it keeps resources flowing into public projects instead of getting tied up in prolonged litigation,” a speaker observed.
The Tax Ombud also emphasized ongoing stakeholder engagement and public awareness campaigns to increase access to the Office’s services. “As awareness grows, so will trust—and that trust is pivotal to improving compliance and, ultimately, domestic revenue mobilisation,” Dr. Nwabueze said.
For more information or to submit complaints, Nigerians were encouraged to contact the Office of the Tax Ombud, which the panel said will remain a key mechanism for promoting a fairer, more transparent tax environment.
