Tax Ombud Boosts Staff Training to Strengthen Nigeria’s Revenue System
By Patience Ikpeme
The Office of the Tax Ombud, led by Dr. John Nwabueze, has renewed its focus on staff capacity building to promote fairness, transparency and public confidence in Nigeria’s tax administration.
Speaking at a three-day management retreat in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Nwabueze framed training and organisational alignment as central to delivering efficient dispute resolution and sustaining revenue reform under President Bola Tinubu’s vision.
The retreat, themed “Leading with Purpose: Strengthening Leadership and Delivering Sustainable Excellence,” gathered the Office’s management to reassess its mandate, clarify strategic priorities and reinforce leadership cohesion.
Dr. Nwabueze stressed that the Office aims to provide taxpayers with an independent, timely and cost-free platform for resolving complaints, and that success should be measured by the trust and confidence it builds in the tax system—not just case numbers.
To expand outreach, the Office is intensifying public awareness campaigns and exploring a partnership with the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) to make services available across every local government area.
These steps are intended to reduce access barriers and widen the Ombud’s footprint, especially in under-served regions.
Representing Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, Finance Commissioner Emem Almond Bob praised federal tax reforms for improving revenue generation and addressing systemic challenges, and invited the Tax Ombud to establish a presence in the state.
Akwa Ibom’s government highlighted reforms such as the Treasury Single Account and consolidated tax collection as complementary moves to strengthen public financial management.
Mr. Okon Okon, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service, underscored the Ombud’s role in fostering constructive engagement between taxpayers and authorities and noted the significance of the Office’s free services for easing disputes without financial burden. He described the institution as key to promoting transparency, accountability and harmony in tax administration.
The retreat aims to strengthen institutional leadership, deepen management alignment and enhance the Office’s capacity to protect taxpayer rights. With renewed emphasis on discipline, diligence and courtesy among staff, the Tax Ombud is positioning itself to bolster public trust and contribute to a more efficient, sustainable revenue system for Nigeria.
