FG launches free tax dispute resolution platforms to protect taxpayers

The Federal Government has unveiled a new set of digital platforms designed to allow Nigerians resolve tax-related disputes free of charge as part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving transparency, accountability and confidence in the nation’s tax administration system.

The platforms, introduced through the Office of the Tax Ombud, include a dedicated website, a toll-free call centre and a digital case management system intended to make tax complaint resolution more accessible across the country.

Speaking during the unveiling ceremony at the Stratton Hotel in Abuja on Monday, the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the initiative marked a major step in Nigeria’s fiscal reform programme.

“Taxpayers, regardless of location, can now engage more easily with the dispute resolution process without unnecessary administrative bottlenecks or delays, and the good news is that it is entirely free,” he said.

Oyedele described the launch as “an important milestone in Nigeria’s fiscal reform journey,” noting that a credible tax system must be rooted in trust and fairness rather than aggressive revenue collection alone.

According to him, the Office of the Tax Ombud was established to protect taxpayers and strengthen public confidence in the administration of taxes nationwide.

“This institution is designed to serve as an independent, impartial, and accessible platform for resolving complaints, mediating disputes, and addressing systemic issues affecting taxpayers across the country,” Oyedele stated.

He explained that the initiative aligns with broader Federal Government reforms targeted at simplifying tax processes, reducing arbitrary assessments and encouraging voluntary compliance.

“As we unveil these various platforms and initiatives today, let these serve as a symbol of a new era in tax administration in Nigeria, one where taxpayers are treated not as adversaries but as partners in national development,” the minister added.

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Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stressed the need for greater public awareness about the role of the Tax Ombud in the Federal Government’s economic reform agenda.

Idris defended the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu, insisting that the reforms were beginning to yield positive results.

He claimed that government revenue performance and investment inflows had improved since the reforms commenced.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, described the platforms as citizen-focused reforms capable of improving access to public services and dispute resolution mechanisms.

“The introduction of these digital platforms speaks directly to the need for more accessible, responsive, and citizen-centred public institutions,” she said.

According to Walson-Jack, an effective tax system must not only collect revenue but also build public trust in institutions.

“When citizens and businesses know that there is a credible platform through which their concerns can be received, tracked, and resolved, it strengthens voluntary compliance and deepens confidence in the tax system,” she said.

She also charged the Office of the Tax Ombud to maintain professionalism and efficiency in the management of the new platforms.

“The website must remain active and informative. The toll-free call centre must be responsive and professional. The case management system must support timely feedback, data-driven reporting, and measurable improvement in how complaints and inquiries are handled,” she added.

Earlier, Nigeria’s first Tax Ombudsman and Chief Executive Officer of the Office of the Tax Ombud, John Nwabueze, explained that the institution was created under Part Six of the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria Establishment Act 2025 to strengthen fairness and efficiency within the country’s tax administration system.

He described the creation of the office as one of the “most forward-looking institutional reforms” introduced under the Tinubu administration.

“The office of the Tax Ombud was, therefore, created as an independent and impartial institution to provide taxpayers with accessible, timely, cost-effective mechanisms for addressing complaints, resolving disputes, and promoting voluntary tax compliance,” Nwabueze said.

He added that taxpayers would now be able to file complaints online or through the call centre, monitor the progress of their cases and access mediation services without resorting to lengthy court battles.

“Our mandate is clear: to serve as a trusted bridge between taxpayers and revenue authorities through mediation, conciliation, stakeholder engagement, and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms that reduce the burden of prolonged litigation and enhance institutional efficiency,” he said.

The Executive Secretary of the Joint Revenue Board, Olusegun Adesokan, also stated that the office was specifically designed to help citizens settle disputes with tax authorities without financial burden.

“We have created an office where people can go to, and this office will mediate between the citizens and whatever authority that they have issues with at no cost to them, at no cost whatsoever to them,” Adesokan said.

He noted that the reform would particularly benefit vulnerable Nigerians who often struggle with the cost of legal representation during tax disputes.

“This initiative, we believe, will strengthen taxpayer confidence and also help us deal with the delays and challenges in resolving disputes in tax matters, particularly for our vulnerable Nigerians,” he added.

Also addressing participants, the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs in the Office of the Vice President, Tope Fasua, said the Tinubu administration deliberately embraced structural reforms after assuming office in 2023.

He said the establishment of the Tax Ombud formed part of the wider tax reform framework developed by the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee.

“The Tax Ombud is meant to be a go-between, the first point of call where you would go to resolve tax issues,” Fasua stated.

According to him, the reforms are intended to broaden the tax base while shielding low-income earners and small businesses from excessive tax burdens.

The unveiling comes months after President Tinubu signed four major tax reform bills into law in June 2025, including the Nigeria Tax Act and related legislation aimed at modernising Nigeria’s tax structure and improving revenue administration.

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