The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, on Monday formally unveiled the Office of the Tax Ombud’s digital case management portal, official website, and call centre for the protection of taxpayers.
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The unveiling, which took place in Abuja, was attended by Nairametrics.
The event was also graced by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack; alongside other heads of government institutions, development partners, leaders, and stakeholders within the tax ecosystem.
What the Minister is saying
Speaking prior to the unveiling, Oyedele said taxpayers must have confidence that when disputes arise, they will be heard fairly, treated respectfully, and provided with timely, accessible, and affordable resolution mechanisms.
According to him, the virtual platforms commissioned are particularly significant because they leverage technology to improve accessibility, efficiency, and responsiveness.
- “Taxpayers, regardless of location, can now engage more easily with the digital resolution process without unnecessary administrative bottlenecks or delays. And the good news is that it is entirely free,” he said.
- He added, “This initiative aligns with the broader objectives of ongoing tax reform, including simplifying tax administration, reducing arbitrariness, protecting taxpayers’ rights, encouraging voluntary compliance, and building a fair and globally competitive fiscal system.”
The minister maintained that disputes are inevitable in any tax system, but what distinguishes a credible system is not the absence of disagreement, but the presence of transparent, efficient, and trusted mechanisms for resolving them.
- “The establishment of the Office of the Tax Ombud reflects our commitment to strengthening taxpayer protection and improving confidence in the tax system,” he added, highlighting that the institution is designed to serve as an independent, impartial, and accessible platform for resolving complaints, mediating disputes, and addressing systemic issues affecting taxpayers across the country.
The minister acknowledged the roles of the Office of the Tax Ombud, the Joint Revenue Board, the Nigeria Revenue Service, the various State Internal Revenue Services, and all stakeholders for contributing to bringing the initiative to life.
He subsequently unveiled the official website of the Office of the Tax Ombud (www.taxombud.gov.ng), along with its toll-free call centre and case management system.
He expressed optimism that the various platforms and initiatives would serve as symbols of a new era in tax administration in Nigeria — one where taxpayers are treated not as adversaries, but as partners.
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For his part, the Tax Ombud and Chief Executive, John Nwabueze, said the Ombud was created as an independent and impartial institution to provide taxpayers with accessible, timely, and cost-effective mechanisms for addressing complaints, resolving disputes, and promoting voluntary tax compliance.
According to him, the digital platforms will significantly improve the taxpayer experience by enabling citizens — individuals, businesses, and stakeholders — to engage efficiently and effectively with the organisation digitally and via phone while lodging complaints seamlessly online or through the call centre.
He assured that through the platforms, the Ombud would track the status of cases in real time and ensure timely, transparent, and professional dispute resolution and mediation services.
According to him, the platforms reflect global best practices in digital public service delivery and reinforce the commitment to institutional innovation, service excellence, and data-driven governance.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Economic Affairs, Tope Fasua, stressed that the whole idea behind the current tax administration reforms is proof that President Tinubu has made the “right decisions” so far.
According to him, Nigeria has a huge informal economy, and there is a lot of untapped revenue that tax authorities are expected to cover.
For Walson-Jack, the development will remove unnecessary bottlenecks and fast-track tax dispute resolution for civil servants who pay taxes promptly through the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system.
She stressed that a credible platform strengthens citizens’ confidence.
What you should know
Monday’s unveiling was previously announced by the Tax Ombud.
In November last year, President Tinubu appointed Dr. Nwabueze as Nigeria’s first Tax Ombudsman, in line with the provisions of the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025.
According to the Presidency, the Tax Ombudsman will also serve as a watchdog to prevent abuse of power and arbitrary decision-making by tax officials. This is expected to enhance taxpayer confidence, reduce litigation, and promote voluntary compliance with Nigeria’s tax laws.
Dr. Nwabueze, who hails from Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, brings decades of experience spanning tax policy, fiscal reform, and economic governance.
He has served as Managing Partner of a top tax advisory firm, Technical Adviser to the Joint Senate Committees on the Federal Capital Territory and Finance, and Technical Adviser to the Chief Economic Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, among other roles in the public and private sectors.
