The Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria’s Office of the Tax Ombud, Dr. John C. Nwabueze,, has called for stronger collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to deepen public understanding of tax reforms, taxpayer rights, and the role of the newly established agency in promoting fairness and accountability in tax administration.
Dr. Nwabueze made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, where he led members of the management team of the Office of the Tax Ombud to seek strategic support for nationwide taxpayer education and public enlightenment campaigns.
Also present at the meeting were heads of key government media and orientation agencies, including the Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Salihu Dembos; the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Ali Muhammad Ali; the Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr. Mohammed Bulama; the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu; the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Baba Ndace; and officials of the Nigerian Press Council.
Dr. Nwabueze described the establishment of the Office of the Tax Ombud under Nigeria’s new tax administration framework as a major institutional reform aimed at strengthening transparency, fairness, accountability, and taxpayer confidence.
According to him, the office serves as an independent mechanism for resolving tax-related disputes, addressing complaints, protecting taxpayers’ rights, and fostering trust between tax authorities and citizens.
He stressed that one of the major challenges confronting public institutions in Nigeria is the limited public understanding of government reforms and institutional mandates.
“The Office of the Tax Ombud exists to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in tax administration while also providing accessible channels for dispute resolution and complaints management,” he said.
Dr. Nwabueze said collaboration with the Ministry of Information and National Orientation had become imperative in order to drive sustained public enlightenment campaigns through traditional media, digital platforms, community outreach, and national orientation programmes.
He noted that taxpayer education and civic communication were essential for improving voluntary tax compliance and strengthening citizens’ trust in government institutions.
The Tax Ombud chief further stated that the agency’s mandate aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the areas of institutional reforms, economic governance, revenue sustainability, and improved service delivery.
He maintained that an inclusive and people-centred tax administration system would contribute significantly to economic growth, social stability, and national development.
The Information Minister Mohammed Idris assured the agency of the ministry’s readiness to partner with the Office of the Tax Ombud in creating awareness about its responsibilities and benefits to Nigerians.
The minister said the meeting was convened deliberately to connect the agency with heads of key public communication institutions capable of amplifying its mandate across the country.
According to him, many Nigerians are still unfamiliar with the functions of the Tax Ombud office, noting that public enlightenment is necessary to help citizens understand that the agency mediates between tax authorities and taxpayers to ensure fairness and justice in tax administration.
“Tax is a very essential component of national development, indeed of any nation’s development,” Idris said.
He recalled that public misunderstanding and misinformation characterised debates around the Federal Government’s tax reform agenda when it was first introduced, adding that many critics had not even seen the actual policy documents before condemning them.
The minister defended the economic reforms introduced by President Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market, describing them as difficult but necessary decisions aimed at stabilising the economy.
He argued that the reforms had improved revenue allocations to states, enabled subnational governments to pay salaries more consistently, and boosted investment in infrastructure.
According to him, the reforms also improved access to foreign exchange for manufacturers and investors by eliminating multiple exchange rates and reducing arbitrage within the financial system.
Idris stated that Nigeria’s foreign reserves had risen significantly under the current administration and that international rating agencies had begun to view the Nigerian economy more positively.
He also referenced Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list, describing it as evidence of improved financial governance and compliance with international standards.
The minister added that inflation figures were gradually improving and that the country was witnessing renewed growth in agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare investments.
He disclosed that Nigeria had recently secured major foreign direct investment commitments, including significant investments in the healthcare sector aimed at promoting medical industrialisation and reducing medical tourism.
Idris said the establishment of the Office of the Tax Ombud demonstrated President Tinubu’s commitment to fairness in tax administration.
“The Tax Ombud is not just there for the person collecting taxes. It is also there for the person paying taxes, ensuring that there is equity, fairness, and justice in the distribution of taxes in this country,” he stated.
He assured the agency that the Ministry of Information and all its parastatals, including the National Orientation Agency, the Nigerian Television Authority, the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, the Voice of Nigeria, and the News Agency of Nigeria, would support efforts to sensitise Nigerians on tax administration reforms and taxpayer rights.
The minister also commended the Office of the Tax Ombud for recently launching its official website and toll-free call centre, describing the move as evidence of the agency’s commitment to accessibility and service delivery.
He emphasised that institutional collaboration remains critical to ensuring that government programmes and reforms are properly communicated to citizens for national development and democratic accountability.
