The announcement was made in a statement issued on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who said the move forms part of Tinubu’s ongoing fiscal and tax reforms aimed at improving transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s revenue system.
According to Onanuga, the creation of the Office of the Tax Ombudsman is designed to “enhance confidence in tax administration and provide a fair mechanism for resolving disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities.”
Dr. Nwabueze, a native of Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, brings decades of experience in both the public and private sectors. He previously served as Managing Partner at a tax advisory firm, Technical Adviser to the Joint Senate Committees on FCT and Finance, and Technical Adviser to the Chief Economic Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
He holds a Doctor of Business Administration in Finance from Walden University, Minneapolis; a Master’s degree in Accounting from Strayer University, Washington D.C.; and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Mathematics from the University of Jos.
Tinubu congratulated Dr. Nwabueze and expressed confidence in his ability to deliver on his mandate with integrity, diligence, and professionalism.
The Office of the Tax Ombudsman will handle complaints related to taxes, levies, regulatory fees, customs duties, and excise matters. It will also ensure that disputes are managed fairly and efficiently, while protecting taxpayers from arbitrary or abusive conduct by tax officials.
The establishment of the Office marks another step in Tinubu’s tax and fiscal reform drive, guided by the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee chaired by Taiwo Oyedele. The committee’s mandate includes simplifying Nigeria’s tax system, harmonising multiple taxes, and improving the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio.
