“Our Services Are Entirely Free” — Tax Ombud Records 82% Resolution Rate, Plans Offices In Six Geopolitical Zones

The Office of the Tax Ombud has sought President Bola Tinubu’s approval to establish six regional offices across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones after recording an approximately 82 per cent resolution rate for taxpayer complaints received since its inception.

The Tax Ombud and Chief Executive of the Office, Dr John Nwabueze, disclosed this during the fourth-quarter 2026 breakfast meeting with members of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria in Abuja on Friday.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Tax Ombud, Chukwudi Achife, the proposed expansion is aimed at bringing dispute resolution services closer to taxpayers and strengthening accountability in tax administration.

Nwabueze said the proposed regional offices were expected to commence operations before the end of 2026, subject to presidential approval.

“We are dedicated to building trust in the tax system and ensuring that all Nigerians have their voices heard.

“With the proposed launch of our regional offices and continued investment in public awareness and stakeholder engagement, we are confident in our ability to serve the nation better,” he said.

Nwabueze disclosed that the Office had resolved approximately 82 per cent of the complaints brought before it, reflecting its efforts to address disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities without resorting to prolonged litigation.

He explained that establishing regional offices would make the services of the Tax Ombud more accessible to taxpayers outside Abuja while improving the speed and efficiency of interventions.

The Office also plans to establish dedicated Tax Ombud desks within tax authorities in all 36 states to facilitate real-time complaint handling and strengthen communication between taxpayers and revenue agencies.

According to Nwabueze, the Office is also streamlining its internal processes to improve responsiveness and ensure complaints are handled more efficiently.

He said collaboration with state governments and federal agencies had strengthened the Office’s operations, adding that feedback from state authorities had been overwhelmingly positive.

“Meaningful cooperation with the National Assembly and other critical stakeholders continues to strengthen support for the Office’s activities and underscores its role as a neutral mediator in tax and revenue-related disputes, within the broader fiscal policy framework under the leadership of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy,” he stated.

Nwabueze said the Office had also intensified public awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagement to improve taxpayers’ understanding of their rights and the complaint mechanisms available to them.

“Through collaborations with independent partner organisations and government agencies, as well as the strategic use of traditional and modern communication platforms, the Office aims to educate and empower taxpayers nationwide,” he added.

He emphasised that the services provided by the Office of the Tax Ombud are entirely free and urged individuals and businesses experiencing difficulties with tax authorities to lodge complaints.

Nwabueze explained that the institution provides an alternative to lengthy court proceedings by facilitating impartial dispute resolution through engagement between taxpayers and revenue authorities.

He added that complaints that could not be resolved by the Office could be referred through the appropriate channels for further consideration.

The planned regional offices and state-level desks, he said, are expected to expand access to the Office’s services, strengthen taxpayer protection and improve accountability in Nigeria’s tax administration system.

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