New digital system offers Nigerians cost-free complaint resolution as government pushes transparency and voluntary compliance in sweeping tax reforms…..
The Federal Government has introduced a new taxpayer protection system that allows Nigerians to resolve tax-related disputes free of charge, as part of efforts to improve fairness, transparency, and trust in the country’s evolving tax administration framework.
The initiative was unveiled on Monday at the launch of the Office of the Tax Ombud digital platforms held at the Stratton Hotel Abuja, where senior government officials formally presented the office’s website, toll-free call centre, and case management system.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the new platforms were designed to remove barriers that have long slowed down tax dispute resolution and made the process difficult for ordinary taxpayers.
According to him, Nigerians will now be able to engage the tax dispute process from anywhere in the country without financial cost or bureaucratic delays.
“Taxpayers, regardless of location, can now engage more easily with the dispute resolution process without unnecessary administrative bottlenecks or delays, and the good news is that it is entirely free,” he said.
Oyedele described the launch as a key milestone in Nigeria’s fiscal reform programme, noting that a credible tax system must be anchored on fairness, accountability, transparency, and trust rather than enforcement alone.
He explained that the Office of the Tax Ombud was created to serve as an independent structure for handling complaints, mediating disputes, and addressing systemic issues affecting taxpayers across the country.
“This institution is designed to serve as an independent, impartial, and accessible platform for resolving complaints, mediating disputes, and addressing systemic issues affecting taxpayers across the country,” he said.
The minister added that the initiative is part of broader tax reforms aimed at simplifying administration, reducing arbitrariness, strengthening taxpayer rights, and encouraging voluntary compliance across all sectors.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said public awareness would be critical to the success of the new system, stressing that Nigerians must understand how the Tax Ombud operates within ongoing economic reforms.
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, described the platforms as citizen-focused reforms that would make government institutions more responsive and accessible.
She noted that effective tax administration must go beyond revenue collection to also build trust between citizens and government.
“When citizens and businesses know that there is a credible platform through which their concerns can be received, tracked, and resolved, it strengthens voluntary compliance and deepens confidence in the tax system,” she said.
Walson-Jack urged the Office of the Tax Ombud to ensure the digital tools remain efficient, responsive, and capable of delivering timely resolution of complaints through data-driven systems.
Nigeria’s first Tax Ombudsman and Chief Executive of the Office of the Tax Ombud, John Nwabueze, said the office was established under the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria Establishment Act 2025.
He described it as one of the most significant institutional reforms under the current administration, designed to provide taxpayers with a neutral and accessible channel for resolving disputes without resorting to prolonged litigation.
“Our mandate is clear: to serve as a trusted bridge between taxpayers and revenue authorities through mediation, conciliation, stakeholder engagement, and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms,” he said.
According to him, Nigerians will be able to file complaints online or via the toll-free centre, track cases in real time, and access mediation services at no cost.
Executive Secretary of the Joint Revenue Board, Olusegun Adesokan, said the platform was specifically designed to protect taxpayers, particularly vulnerable individuals who cannot afford legal representation.
He said the system would help reduce delays in resolving tax disputes while improving overall confidence in the tax administration process.
Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, Tope Fasua, said the Tax Ombud forms part of broader reforms introduced by the administration since 2023 to modernise Nigeria’s fiscal framework.
He added that the reforms aim to expand the tax base while shielding small businesses and low-income earners from excessive tax pressure.
The introduction of the Tax Ombud comes amid wider tax restructuring efforts, including the signing of major tax reform laws in 2025 aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s decades-old tax system and improving revenue efficiency.
