The Office of the Tax Ombud has sought President Bola Tinubu’s approval to establish six regional offices across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, as it revealed that about 82 per cent of taxpayer complaints received since its inception have been resolved.
The Tax Ombud and Chief Executive, Dr John Nwabueze, disclosed this at 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 Ombudsman, Chukwudi Achife, the proposed offices are expected to improve access to dispute resolution services and strengthen accountability in tax administration.
Nwabueze said the regional offices were expected to begin operations before the end of 2026, subject to presidential approval.
He explained that the expansion would bring the Office’s services closer to taxpayers, particularly those outside Abuja, while improving the speed and efficiency of complaint resolution.
The Tax Ombud also disclosed plans to establish dedicated desks in all 36 state tax authorities to facilitate prompt complaint handling and strengthen communication between taxpayers and revenue agencies.
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He said the Office was streamlining its internal processes and strengthening collaboration with state governments and federal agencies to improve service delivery. Feedback from state authorities, he added, had been largely positive.
Nwabueze noted that cooperation with the National Assembly and other stakeholders had further strengthened the Office’s operations and reinforced its role as a neutral mediator in tax and revenue-related disputes.
He said the Office had also intensified public awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagement to educate Nigerians on their tax rights and available complaint mechanisms.
According to him, the campaigns would be driven through partnerships with independent organisations and government agencies, as well as traditional and digital communication platforms.
The Tax Ombud emphasised that its services were entirely free, urging individuals and businesses experiencing difficulties with tax authorities to seek assistance.
He explained that the Office provides an alternative to lengthy court proceedings by facilitating impartial engagement between taxpayers and revenue authorities to resolve disputes.
Nwabueze added that complaints that remained unresolved could be referred through appropriate channels for further consideration.
