By Jelili Gbadamosi
The Office of the Tax Ombud has disclosed that it has resolved approximately 82 per cent of complaints received from taxpayers since its establishment, as it seeks approval to expand its operations across Nigeria.
The Tax Ombud and Chief Executive, Dr John Nwabueze, disclosed this during the fourth-quarter 2026 breakfast meeting with members of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria in Abuja on Friday.
Nwabueze said the office had requested President Bola Tinubu’s approval to establish six regional offices across the country’s geopolitical zones to improve access to tax dispute resolution services.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Tax Ombud, Chukwudi Achife, the proposed offices are expected to commence operations before the end of 2026, subject to presidential approval.
He explained that the expansion would enable taxpayers outside Abuja to access the office’s services more easily while ensuring faster resolution of complaints involving revenue authorities.
The Tax Ombud also revealed plans to establish dedicated desks within the 36 state tax authorities to facilitate prompt handling of complaints and strengthen communication between taxpayers and revenue agencies.
Nwabueze said the office was reviewing its internal processes to improve efficiency and ensure that disputes were addressed without unnecessary delays.
He added that cooperation with state governments, federal agencies and the National Assembly had contributed to strengthening the institution’s operations.
According to him, the office had also intensified public awareness campaigns to educate individuals and businesses about their rights and available channels for resolving tax-related disputes.
He maintained that the Tax Ombud operates as an impartial mediator between taxpayers and revenue authorities, providing an alternative to prolonged court proceedings.
Nwabueze further emphasised that the office’s services were free, urging individuals and businesses experiencing difficulties with tax authorities to submit their complaints for intervention.
He said the institution remained committed to building public confidence in Nigeria’s tax administration system through accountability, stakeholder engagement and accessible dispute resolution mechanisms.
