Tax Ombud seeks stronger collaboration with revenue agencies to protect taxpayers’ rights

Nigeria's Tax Ombud is pushing for enhanced collaboration among revenue-generating agencies to better protect taxpayers' rights. John Nwabueze, the Tax Ombud and Chief Executive, called for the designation of liaison officers to streamline communication and expedite the resolution of taxpayer grievances.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement in Abuja, Nwabueze emphasized that the office's goal is not to hinder revenue collection but to ensure it is conducted with fairness and transparency. The mechanism, he explained, represents a modern approach to tax administration, balancing the government's need for revenue with the rights and concerns of taxpayers.

Nigeria is noted as the ninth country globally and third in Africa to adopt such a specialized tax advocacy mechanism. The Tax Ombud was established to fill a gap in the existing dispute-resolution system, which previously focused primarily on substantive tax liabilities. The office now addresses administrative and procedural difficulties taxpayers encounter when dealing with revenue authorities, drawing inspiration from the Ombudsman system's origins in Sweden.

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Today is not simply about discussing taxation and revenue. It is about strengthening the relationship between the taxpayer and the institutions responsible for administering public revenue.