The Office of the Tax Ombud has unveiled plans to explore a partnership with the Nigerian Postal Service (NPS) to expand its dispute-resolution services to every local government area, a move aimed at improving taxpayers’ access to independent review of complaints against revenue authorities.
John Nwabueze, the Tax Ombud and Chief Executive of the office, announced the plan at the opening of a three-day management retreat in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
He said the office is also intensifying public-awareness efforts to build confidence in its mandate.
“The office is committed to ensuring that taxpayers have access to an independent and impartial platform where their complaints can be addressed without unnecessary delays or financial burden,” Nwabueze said.
The office was established as part of President Bola Tinubu’s effort to strengthen tax administration through mediation and the prompt, amicable resolution of disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities.
The retreat, themed “Leading with Purpose: Strengthening Leadership and Delivering Sustainable Excellence,” is intended to help the organization review its mandate, clarify its strategic direction, and improve alignment around its objectives.
Nwabueze urged staff to make discipline, diligence, and courtesy central to their work, saying the office’s success should not be measured only by the volume of complaints it resolves.
“The ultimate measure of our success is not simply the number of cases we resolve, but the confidence we build, the trust we restore, and the positive difference we make in the relationship between taxpayers and revenue authorities,” he said.
Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, represented by Finance Commissioner Emem Bob, welcomed the federal tax reforms, saying they are designed to improve revenue generation and address longstanding weaknesses in tax administration.
Eno said his administration is pursuing measures including the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and a consolidated tax-collection system to strengthen public financial management.
He also urged the Tax Ombud to establish a presence in Akwa Ibom and pledged state support to expand residents’ access to its services.
Okon Okon, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service, described the Tax Ombud as an important institution for promoting fairness and trust in Nigeria’s tax system.
He praised the office for offering its services free of charge, calling the arrangement a significant relief for taxpayers and revenue authorities seeking impartial resolution of tax disputes.
