John Nwabueze: Nigerians Can Challenge Unfair Tax Assessment Without Going to Court

• Assures on expedited resolution of revenue disputes, others

James Emejo in Abuja

Taxombud/Chief Executive, Office of Tax Ombud, Dr. John Nwabueze, yesterday said it was well-positioned as the first point of contact for taxpayers seeking redress over disputes with revenue authorities.

Nwabueze said the office existed as part of efforts to strengthen confidence in the country’s newly reformed tax administration system.

He spoke during a breakfast meeting with journalists in Abuja.

Nwabueze said complaints had begun to emerge from different states.

He stressed that the institution was established to provide an independent platform for resolving complaints between taxpayers and revenue agencies through mediation and alternative dispute resolution, rather than lengthy litigation.

He stressed that the office was created under the new tax administration framework to promote transparency, accountability, fairness and greater trust in the nation’s tax system.

Nwabueze said the agency would serve as a bridge between taxpayers and revenue authorities, including Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Customs, and other government revenue-generating institutions.

He explained that taxpayers who disagreed with assessments issued by tax authorities could approach the Ombud’s office for mediation and review.

Nwabueze stated, “When people have issues arising from tax or revenue authorities, they can come to us for resolution. For the most part, mediation is actually the way we look at solving these issues.”

According to him, the office offers citizens and businesses an accessible, timely and cost-effective mechanism for lodging complaints, resolving disputes, and protecting taxpayer rights.

Nwabueze said the establishment of the tax ombud aligned Nigeria with global best practices, where modern tax systems were built not only on revenue collection but also on fairness, accessibility, effective dispute resolution, and public confidence.

The tax Ombud stated that while the office did not function as a court, its interventions were expected to resolve a significant number of disputes before they escalated to the Tax Appeal Tribunal or the judiciary.

Drawing from international experience, he said acceptance rates for Ombud recommendations in some jurisdictions exceeded 80 per cent, reducing the need for prolonged legal battles.

He said to improve accessibility, the office recently launched a website, call centre, and case management portal through which taxpayers could file complaints, track cases, and obtain information on taxpayer protection services.

Nwabueze said the call centre was designed to ensure inclusion of Nigerians in underserved communities, adding that citizens can reach the office through phone calls or text messages even where internet access was limited.

According to him, “Anybody in a rural area who has access to a phone and network coverage can reach us. We should be able to attend to people everywhere in Nigeria.”

The Tax Ombud also revealed that the institution was working with state governments and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to address complaints related to multiple taxation, a long-standing concern among businesses and individuals.

He said reducing the burden of multiple taxation would improve voluntary compliance and encourage citizens to fulfil their tax obligations.

Nwabueze stated, “Some people refuse to file taxes because they feel government is not treating them fairly. Once that burden is reduced, compliance improves and people become more willing to carry out their civic responsibility.”

He clarified that the office was currently operating from Abuja and the six geopolitical zones, but intended to expand its footprint across the country as awareness grew.

Nwabueze appealed to the media to support public sensitisation efforts by educating taxpayers on how to file complaints and access the services of the Tax Ombud.

He said, “The office is new and many Nigerians do not yet know it exists. This engagement is about creating awareness so that when people have issues, they know where to go.”