Tax Ombud Warns Nigerians Against Using Agency to Evade Legitimate Taxes

The Chief Executive of the Office of the Tax Ombud, Dr John Nwabueze, has warned taxpayers against using the agency to avoid or delay payment of legitimate taxes, stressing that its role is to protect taxpayers’ rights and ensure fairness in tax administration.

Nwabueze gave the warning on Tuesday at the North-West Zonal Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting in Kaduna, which brought together tax and revenue authorities, business groups and professional bodies.

He explained that the Office of the Tax Ombud was established under the Federal Tax Ombud Act as an independent, impartial and non-judicial institution to handle complaints relating to taxes, levies, regulatory fees, customs, excise and other statutory charges.

The agency, he said, provides a channel for taxpayers to seek redress over administrative, procedural and service-related problems. However, he stressed that it does not have the authority to cancel legitimate tax liabilities simply because a taxpayer is unwilling to pay.

“The Tax Ombud is not a mechanism for cancelling legitimate tax liabilities merely because the taxpayer does not wish to pay,” Nwabueze said, adding that the office neither makes tax policy nor shields taxpayers from their legal obligations.

He noted that taxpayers should be able to challenge the fairness and legality of how their tax obligations are assessed and administered. Where required, they must first follow the relevant internal dispute-resolution procedures before approaching the agency.

Nwabueze also disclosed that the office had introduced a digital complaint portal, a case management system and a toll-free call centre to improve access to its services. He said the agency’s services, including legal action instituted on behalf of taxpayers where permitted by law, are provided free of charge.

Meanwhile, Kaduna State Commissioner for Finance, Mohammed Ibrahim Tanko, said the North-West generated about ₦916bn in tax revenue between 2023 and 2025, with Kaduna contributing approximately ₦220bn. Tanko, who represented Governor Uba Sani, attributed the state’s revenue performance to stakeholder engagement and voluntary compliance rather than aggressive enforcement. He also urged the Tax Ombud to establish a zonal office in Kaduna to improve access for taxpayers and revenue authorities across the region.