The Federal Government has appointed Dr. John Nwabueze as Nigeria’s first Tax Ombudsman, in line with the provisions of the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025. The appointment reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing commitment to reform and strengthen Nigeria’s tax and revenue administration framework.
According to Mediaplusng.com, the appointment is part of the administration’s broader effort to promote transparency, fairness, and accountability in the country’s tax system. Dr. Nwabueze, an accomplished tax expert from Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, brings a wealth of experience from both public service and the private sector.
Before his appointment, he served as the Managing Partner of a leading tax advisory firm. He also worked as a Technical Adviser to the Joint Senate Committees on the Federal Capital Territory and Finance at the National Assembly, and previously to the Chief Economic Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Dr. Nwabueze holds a Doctor of Business Administration (Finance) from Walden University, Minneapolis, USA, a Master of Science in Accounting from Strayer University, Washington, D.C., and dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Mathematics from the University of Jos, Nigeria.
President Tinubu congratulates Dr. Nwabueze on his appointment and expresses confidence in his ability to discharge his duties with integrity, diligence, and professionalism.
Mediaplusng.com reports that the newly established Office of the Tax Ombudsman will serve as an independent platform for resolving tax-related disputes and promoting trust between taxpayers and revenue authorities. The office will handle complaints related to taxes, levies, customs duties, excise matters, and regulatory fees, in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
The Tax Ombudsman will also ensure that all disputes are managed in a fair, efficient, and non-adversarial manner. Its mandate includes protecting taxpayers’ rights and preventing the abuse of authority by tax officials while encouraging voluntary compliance and boosting confidence in Nigeria’s revenue system.
The establishment of the Tax Ombudsman marks a major step toward creating a more transparent and citizen-friendly tax administration in Nigeria.
