Tax Ombud Seeks Tinubu’s Nod for Six Regional Offices

The Office of the Tax Ombud has sought President Bola Tinubu’s approval to establish six regional offices across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones to improve access to tax dispute resolution services.

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

According to Nwabueze, the proposed offices are expected to commence operations before the end of 2026, subject to presidential approval and the completion of necessary administrative arrangements.

He said the expansion would bring the office closer to taxpayers, particularly individuals and businesses outside Abuja, while strengthening accountability and improving the handling of complaints against tax and revenue authorities.

Nwabueze also disclosed that the office had resolved approximately 82 per cent of complaints received since its establishment. Other reports put the number of complaints received at 33, of which 25 had been resolved.

The Tax Ombud said the office was working to establish dedicated desks within state tax authorities to facilitate faster communication and real-time handling of complaints.

He explained that delays in correspondence between the office and revenue authorities had sometimes affected the timely resolution of cases. The proposed desks are intended to reduce such delays and improve coordination.

Nwabueze added that the office was intensifying public awareness campaigns to educate Nigerians about their rights and explain how they could seek redress when they experienced difficulties with tax authorities.

He emphasised that the office’s services were free, urging individuals and businesses facing disputes over tax assessments, payments or administrative procedures to seek its intervention.

The Tax Ombud provides an independent mechanism for addressing complaints and facilitating fair resolutions between taxpayers and revenue authorities, potentially reducing the need for lengthy and costly litigation.

The office is also developing an online complaints platform designed to make its services more accessible to Nigerians, including those in rural communities.

The proposed regional expansion is part of efforts to strengthen taxpayer protection and build public confidence in Nigeria’s tax administration system. The six offices are expected to cover the country’s six geopolitical zones once the necessary approval is secured.