The Federal Government has appointed Dr John Nwabueze as the Tax Ombudsman, in accordance with the provisions of the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025.
This was disclosed in a statement released on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President, Mr Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, “This appointment aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to implementing far-reaching and sustainable reforms in the tax and revenue administration framework.”
Recall that Mr Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, had announced plans to establish a Tax Ombud Office during his keynote address at the 2025 Haulage and Logistics Magazine Annual Conference and Exhibition (HAULMACE) held in Lagos on Thursday, October 30, 2025.
Oyedele stated that the Ombud Office would protect businesses and individuals from harassment by revenue officials. “The Ombud is meant to solve your problem quickly, within 24 to 48 hours, at no cost to you whatsoever,” he said.
He also decried the existence of over 60 official and more than 200 unofficial levies imposed on businesses, particularly in the transport sector. According to him, the ongoing reform recognises the transport and logistics sector, including road haulage, electric, and CNG-powered vehicles, as a priority area that will drive economic recovery and industrial growth.
President Tinubu congratulated Dr Nwabueze on his appointment and expressed confidence in his capacity to discharge the responsibilities of his office with integrity, diligence, and utmost professionalism.
The statement noted that the Office of the Tax Ombudsman was established to strengthen transparency and accountability within the tax system, enhance public confidence in tax administration, and provide a structured mechanism for fair and impartial resolution of disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities.
The office will be responsible for receiving, reviewing, and resolving complaints relating to taxes, levies, regulatory fees, customs duties, excise matters, and other related issues, in line with existing laws and regulations.
“The Tax Ombudsman is further mandated to ensure that disputes are managed in an efficient, impartial, and non-adversarial manner, thereby safeguarding the rights of taxpayers against the arbitrary or abusive exercise of authority by tax officials,” the statement added.
