The Office of the Tax Ombudsman of Nigeria will on January 1, 2026 commence operations, amongst which is to raise awareness of taxpayers’ rights and obligations, provide information on the functions of the tax authorities, and institute legal proceedings on behalf of taxpayers at no cost to taxpayers.

The development was disclosed in a statement signed by Chudi Achife, chief press secretary to the Tax Ombudsman/CEO, John Nwabueze.

Mr Nwabuezw was recently appointed by President Bola Tinubu as the pioneer Tax Ombudsman and chief executive of the Office of the Tax Ombudsman

Announcing the appointment, presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, had stated that the office was established to strengthen transparency and accountability within the tax system, enhance confidence in tax administration, while also providing a structured mechanism for the fair and impartial resolution of disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities.

Mr Onanuga noted that the Office of the Tax Ombudsman “will receive, review, and resolve complaints about taxes, levies, regulatory fees, customs duties, excise matters, and other related issues in accordance with extant laws and regulations”.

Mr Achife in the statement sent to Peoples Gazette on Monday, said the establishment of the new office “demonstrates Mr Tinubu’s dedication to amicable and seamless tax dispute resolution and to protecting taxpayers’ rights to challenge arbitrary actions by tax and revenue authorities.”

He also commended the President’s economic policies, which he noted were now stabilizing the Nigerian economy and guiding the country toward sustainable prosperity.

Mr Achife further noted that Mr Nwabueze has over two decades of experience in tax administration and policy in Nigeria and the United States.

“I share in the President’s pragmatic leadership approach. Establishing the Office of the Tax Ombud shows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ingenuity and foresight in reforming tax administration to ensure fairness, accountability, and efficiency,” Mr Achife quoted Mr Nwabueze as saying in the statement.

Mr Nwabueze revealed that his office has lined up a number of activities, including press briefings and sessions with various stakeholders to inform Nigerians of his vision and plans for a fair, transparent, accountable, and efficient tax justice system.

He also lauded the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, for his role in implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda across all sectors of the economy.