Ombudsman Sets 30-Day Limit For Settlement Of Tax Disputes

Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer for Tax Ombudsman, John Nwabueze, has assured Nigerians that complaints relating to taxes, levies, and regulatory charges will be resolved within 14 to 30 days.

Dr. Nwabueze made this known while addressing journalists at a breakfast meeting in Lagos, noting that the timeline is in line with the provisions of the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025.

He explained that the Tax Ombudsman was established as an independent and impartial body to resolve disputes between taxpayers and tax authorities, while also safeguarding taxpayer rights and promoting fairness and transparency in tax administration.

“We will ensure we keep to that timeline of between 14 to 30 days that the law stipulates. We will work with all authorities concerned to dispose of complaints in a timely manner,” he said.

Nwabueze urged journalists to play an active role in educating the public on the functions of the Office of the Tax Ombud, particularly on how taxpayers can file complaints and obtain redress at no cost.

To enhance accessibility, he disclosed that the Office is set to launch a website and a toll-free call centre, aimed at making its services more reachable to Nigerians.

According to him, the establishment of the Office provides a new platform for citizens to actively engage in the nation’s economic development, while strengthening confidence in the tax system.

He noted that the initiative reflects Nigeria’s commitment to building a modern, people-focused tax system that balances revenue generation with justice and due process.
The Ombudsman added that a fair, responsive, and transparent tax system is critical to encouraging voluntary compliance and fostering public trust.

Dr. Nwabueze commended His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, for leading a transformative tax reforms that are rooted in fairness, inclusiveness, and sustainability for revenue growth and economic prosperity adding that at the core of the reforms” lies a renewed social contract, one in which taxpayers are not passive partakers, but active partners in nation-building”.

Further, the Tax Ombud acknowledged the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele for his leadership in the reform process.

Dr Nwabueze explained that his Office neither “determines tax liability, nor has it replaced the courts or the Tax Appeal Tribunal” but was rather established to ensure that tax administration is conducted in a fair, transparent, and accountable manner.

He added that beyond dispute resolution, the Office of the Tax Ombud plays a systemic role in identifying recurring issues in tax and revenue administration and recommending reforms to improve efficiency, fairness, and transparency.