The Tax Ombud/Chief Executive, Office of the Tax Ombud, Dr. John Nwabueze, has disclosed that the South-East Zonal Headquarters of the Office of the Tax Ombud will be located in Enugu State as part of the Office’s current initiatives to enhance taxpayer support services and contribute to improving the tax-to-GDP ratio of the state and the country.
The Tax Ombud/Chief Executive Office of the Tax Ombud, Dr. John Nwabueze, gave this hint when he met with the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Tuesday at the Government House, Enugu,
Describing Enugu State as one of Nigeria’s foremost industrial and commercial hubs, Nwabueze noted that the state would enhance the operations of the Office, given its expanding economic activities and significant contribution to revenue generation.
He explained that tax-related disputes, including the challenge of multiple taxation, were inevitable in a vibrant commercial environment and stressed that the Office of the Tax Ombud was established to provide timely, transparent, impartial and amicable mechanisms for resolving disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities.
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He said: “While the payment of taxes remains an inalienable civic responsibility, taxpayers equally deserve to be treated fairly, respectfully and in accordance with the law as they fulfil this obligation.”
Nwabueze further explained that effective dispute resolution would encourage voluntary compliance, reduce friction between taxpayers and tax authorities, and significantly diminish public skepticism towards tax matters.
According to him, the establishment of the Office of the Tax Ombud represents one of the achievements of the ongoing tax reform agenda of the present administration aimed at building a fair, efficient and citizen-centred tax system.
As part of efforts to improve accessibility and public engagement, the Ombudsman disclosed that the Office recently unveiled its official website and launched a toll-free call centre and a digital case management portal.
He explained that these platforms availed taxpayers the opportunity to obtain information, lodge complaints online or by telephone at no cost, and monitor the progress of their cases in real time.
Nwabueze advocated the need for strategic collaboration with the Enugu State Government to deepen taxpayer protection, promote voluntary tax compliance and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s evolving tax administration system
He explained that the Office of the Tax Ombud is an independent and impartial institution established under the Joint Tax Board (Establishment) Act, 2025, with the mandate to receive, review and resolve complaints relating to taxes, levies, regulatory fees, charges, customs duties and excise matters.
In his remarks, the governor expressed the state’s readiness to host the regional headquarters, including the provision of the necessary facilities, adding that Enugu is a fitting host for an important institution such as the Office of the Tax Ombud.
Mbah cited his administration’s commitment to growing the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion within eight years through private sector-driven investments to justify his position on the location of the office in the state.
The governor told the Ombudsman that the establishment of the Office of the Tax Ombud in the state remained desirable, particularly at a time when his administration is intensifying efforts to block revenue leakages and widen the tax net. He noted that the Office would help improve tax compliance and boost revenue generation.
He also lauded President Tinubu for his reform initiatives, particularly the tax reforms necessary to drive sustainable revenue growth required for government to provide quality education, healthcare, infrastructure and other essential public services.
