Tax Ombud steps up safeguards for taxpayers’ rights

From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja

The Office of the Tax Ombud has stepped up efforts to protect taxpayers’ rights and promote fairness, transparency, and accountability in Nigeria’s tax administration system.

The Tax Ombud and Chief Executive of the Office, Dr. John Nwabueze, stated that the organisation is intensifying public awareness campaigns, regarding its mandate, while strengthening staff capacity to resolve disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities effectively.

Speaking at the opening of a three-day management retreat in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nwabueze reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to providing an independent and impartial platform for taxpayers to seek redress without unnecessary delays or financial burdens.

At the retreat had the theme: Leading with Purpose: Strengthening Leadership and Delivering Sustainable Excellence’, aims to enhance leadership coordination and institutional capacity, he disclosed that negotiations were underway to partner with the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) to extend the Tax Ombud’s services to every local government area nationwide, and ensure that taxpayers could easily lodge complaints.

Nwabueze noted that the Office aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of strengthening tax administration through effective mediation and prompt dispute resolution. He stressed that public trust is central to an efficient revenue 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.

Akwa Ibom State governor, Umo Eno, represented by the Finance Commissioner, Emem Almond Bob, commended the Federal Government’s tax reforms for addressing long standing administrative challenges.

He listed state initiatives, such as the Treasury Single Account and a consolidated tax collection system, to improve the business environment and urged the Tax Ombud to establish a permanent presence in Akwa Ibom.

Similarly, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service, Okon Okon, described the Tax Ombud as a key institution for fostering harmony. He emphasised that its free services provide relief to aggrieved taxpayers.