President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr John Nwabueze as Nigeria’s first Tax Ombudsman, in accordance with the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the appointment underscores the administration’s commitment to implementing far-reaching and sustainable reforms in the nation’s tax and revenue administration system.
President Tinubu congratulated Dr Nwabueze on his appointment, expressing confidence in his integrity, professionalism, and ability to discharge the responsibilities of the new office effectively.
According to the statement, the Office of the Tax Ombudsman is mandated to receive, review, and resolve complaints related to taxes, levies, customs duties, regulatory fees, excise matters, and other related issues. It is also tasked with ensuring that tax disputes are handled efficiently, impartially, and in a non-adversarial manner, safeguarding taxpayers’ rights against arbitrary or abusive practices by tax officials.
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Dr Nwabueze, an indigene of Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, brings extensive experience in taxation, finance, and public policy to the position. He has previously served as Managing Partner of a leading tax advisory firm, Technical Adviser to the Joint Senate Committees on the Federal Capital Territory and Finance, and Technical Adviser to the Chief Economic Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
He holds a Doctor of Business Administration (Finance) from Walden University, Minneapolis; 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.
The newly established Office of the Tax Ombudsman is designed to enhance transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s tax system, serving as a fair and impartial mechanism for dispute resolution between taxpayers and revenue authorities, and fostering greater public confidence in tax administration.
