Tax Ombud Mulls Partnerships To Bring Complaint Services To Traders, Rural Taxpayers
By Sunday Etuka
The Office of the Tax Ombud is taking steps to extend complaint handling and resolution services to market traders and taxpayers in rural communities through a proposed partnership with the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST).
Tax Ombud and Chief Executive Dr John Nwabueze disclosed this on Friday October 23 2026 at a town hall meeting attended by representatives of professional bodies, market associations, private sector, civil society organisations and media.
He said the office was at the verge of formalising collaboration with NIPOST to make it easier for market traders and taxpayers in rural areas to access its complaint handling and resolution services.
Nwabueze reaffirmed office commitment to promoting fairness, transparency and accountability in Nigeria tax and revenue administration, noting that initiatives were designed to encourage voluntary compliance, facilitate impartial resolution of complaints and strengthen confidence between taxpayers and revenue authorities.
According to him, a fair and predictable tax system is essential for economic growth, investor confidence and improved compliance among small and medium sized enterprises, market traders and the wider business community.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Office of Tax Ombud to provide taxpayers with access to an independent and impartial mechanism for addressing grievances without fear. He also acknowledged contributions of the Minister of Finance, Coordinating Minister of Economy Mr Taiwo Oyedele and other stakeholders.
He noted that the office was established to promote consistency, clarity and respect in administration of tax and revenue laws.
Explaining the mandate, Nwabueze described Tax Ombud as an independent, impartial and non judicial institution mandated to address operational, procedural and administrative grievances arising from tax and revenue administration.
He said focus is not only on rights of taxpayers but also on their responsibilities and those of relevant authorities, adding that services which are offered free of charge are designed to resolve disputes, mediate complaints and promote transparent, fair and consistent tax administration system.
He clarified that the office was not established to cancel legitimate tax liabilities simply because taxpayers were unwilling to pay, stressing that it does not make tax policy, encourage non compliance, shield taxpayers from lawful obligations or perform functions of courts.
He said role is to facilitate fair and impartial resolution of eligible complaints within statutory mandate.
He further stated that the office remained open to collaboration and feedback from stakeholders, pledging to maintain impartiality in handling complaints and address systemic challenges including inadequate transparency and inefficient grievance redress mechanisms.
Representatives of Abuja Market, National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, road transport unions and airline operators commended ongoing tax administration reforms.
They highlighted the need for streamlined administrative processes, clear assessment criteria and effective channels for resolving disputes, noting priorities are essential to improving taxpayer confidence and compliance.
Office reiterated commitment to working with stakeholders to make complaint resolution services more accessible, strengthen accountability and promote tax and revenue administration system that protects taxpayers rights while upholding lawful powers and responsibilities of revenue authorities.
