By Atoyebi Nike
The Federal Government has appointed Dr. John Nwabueze as Nigeria’s first Tax Ombudsman, marking a major milestone in President Bola Tinubu’s fiscal reform agenda. The appointment, made under the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025, was announced in a statement on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Nwabueze, from Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, brings decades of experience in tax policy, fiscal reform, and economic governance. His past roles include managing partner at a leading tax advisory firm, technical adviser to Senate Committees on FCT and Finance, and adviser to the Chief Economic Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He holds a PhD in Public Administration (Finance) from Walden University and advanced degrees in accounting and mathematics.
President Tinubu congratulated him, expressing confidence in his integrity and professionalism.
The Office of the Tax Ombudsman has been created to improve accountability in Nigeria’s tax system by offering an impartial mechanism for resolving disputes between taxpayers and revenue agencies. The office will handle complaints involving taxes, levies, customs duties, excise matters, and other revenue issues, ensuring fair, non-adversarial decisions.
The Ombudsman will also act as a watchdog against abuse of power by tax officials, a move expected to boost public confidence, reduce litigation, and encourage voluntary compliance. The initiative aligns with global best practices in countries where similar independent tax oversight bodies exist.
Nwabueze’s immediate responsibilities include establishing the new office, building operational guidelines, and coordinating with agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Nigeria Customs Service and state revenue authorities to streamline dispute-resolution processes.
The appointment comes as Nigeria intensifies fiscal reforms aimed at widening the tax base, blocking leakages, and modernizing revenue administration. The government recently published new tax reform laws in the official gazette, setting a fresh foundation for taxation and compliance.
Taiwo Oyedele, chair of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, said the new framework will modernise Nigeria’s tax system and support a more business-friendly environment.
