Tax Ombud plans nationwide expansion of free complaint services

The Office of the Tax Ombud is working to extend its services to all 774 local government areas in Nigeria through a proposed partnership with the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST).

The Tax Ombud and Chief Executive of the office, Dr John Nwabueze, disclosed this at the opening of a three-day management retreat in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.

He said discussions were underway with NIPOST to make the office’s services more accessible to taxpayers across the country, particularly those who may find it difficult to seek redress over tax-related complaints.

Nwabueze said the office was also intensifying public awareness campaigns to educate Nigerians about its mandate and the services available to them. He explained that the office was established to provide an independent and impartial platform for resolving disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities through mediation and prompt settlement of complaints.

According to him, the initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to strengthen tax administration and promote fairness in revenue collection.

He said the office was committed to ensuring that taxpayers could seek redress without unnecessary delays or financial costs.

The Tax Ombud urged staff to uphold discipline, diligence and courtesy in carrying out their responsibilities, stressing that public confidence was critical to an effective tax system.

“The ultimate measure of our success is not simply the number of cases we resolve, but the confidence we build, the trust we restore and the positive difference we make in the relationship between taxpayers and revenue authorities,” he said.

The retreat, themed, “Leading with Purpose: Strengthening Leadership and Delivering Sustainable Excellence,” was organised to review the office’s mandate, strengthen management capacity and align its leadership with its strategic objectives.

In his remarks, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Emem Almond Bob, commended the Federal Government’s tax reforms, saying they were designed to improve revenue generation and address longstanding weaknesses in tax administration.

Eno also commended the office for choosing Akwa Ibom as the venue for the retreat, noting that his administration was implementing policies to encourage businesses, improve the business environment and reduce the cost of doing business.

He identified the introduction of the Treasury Single Account and a consolidated tax collection system as measures aimed at improving public financial management and revenue administration in the state.

The governor urged the Tax Ombud to establish an office in Akwa Ibom, pledging his administration’s support to ensure residents could access its services.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Okon Okon, described the Tax Ombud as an important institution for promoting fairness, accountability and trust between taxpayers and revenue authorities.

He said the fact that the office provides its services free of charge would offer relief to taxpayers and revenue authorities seeking an impartial platform to resolve disputes.

Okon added that the office’s interventions would encourage constructive engagement between taxpayers and tax authorities and improve transparency in revenue administration.

The three-day retreat is expected to strengthen the office’s leadership and management capacity and improve its delivery of services, particularly in protecting taxpayers’ rights and promoting accountability in tax administration.