President Tinubu Appoints Dr. John Nwabueze as Nigeria’s First Tax Ombudsman
In a significant move to overhaul Nigeria’s tax administration, President Bola Tinubu has officially appointed Dr. John Nwabueze as the nation’s inaugural Tax Ombudsman. This landmark decision forms a cornerstone of the administration’s ambitious tax and revenue reform agenda.
A Mandate for Fairness and Transparency
The establishment of the Office of the Tax Ombudsman is empowered by the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025. According to a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the appointment underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to implementing “far-reaching and sustainable reforms” within the country’s fiscal framework.
But what does this new office mean for the average Nigerian taxpayer? Essentially, it creates an independent arbiter for tax disputes. The Ombudsman is tasked with receiving, reviewing, and resolving complaints concerning taxes, levies, customs duties, and other related issues. This provides a structured, impartial channel for resolving conflicts between citizens and revenue authorities, a process previously managed internally by agencies like the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
“The Tax Ombudsman is further mandated to ensure that disputes are managed in an efficient, impartial, and non-adversarial manner, thereby safeguarding the rights of taxpayers against the arbitrary or abusive exercise of authority by tax officials,” the presidential statement clarified.
The Man for the Job: Dr. John Nwabueze
Dr. Nwabueze, who hails from Oshimili South Local Government Area in Delta State, is no stranger to the complexities of Nigeria’s financial and tax systems. He brings a wealth of experience from both the public and private sectors, positioning him as a uniquely qualified candidate for this critical role.
His distinguished career includes serving as the Managing Partner of a tax advisory firm, a Technical Adviser to the Joint Senate Committees on the Federal Capital Territory and Finance, and a Technical Adviser to the Chief Economic Adviser under former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Onanuga stated that Nwabueze “brings extensive professional and public service experience to the new job.”
His academic credentials are equally impressive, featuring a Doctor of Business Administration in Finance from Walden University, a Master’s degree in Accounting from Strayer University, and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Mathematics from the University of Jos.
Broadening the Tax Reform Agenda
The creation of the Tax Ombudsman is not an isolated event. It represents a key milestone in the work of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, chaired by Taiwo Oyedele. Since its inauguration in August 2023, this committee has been tasked with a monumental mission: to harmonise Nigeria’s convoluted tax system, reduce the burden of multiple taxation, improve revenue generation, and ultimately raise the country’s notoriously low tax-to-GDP ratio.
By introducing an independent oversight figure, the government aims to simplify tax compliance and, most importantly, rebuild public confidence in a system often viewed with suspicion. The goal is to foster an environment where taxpayers feel their rights are protected, making them more willing to fulfill their civic obligations.
President Tinubu congratulated Dr. Nwabueze on his new appointment, expressing “confidence in his capacity to discharge the responsibilities of his office with integrity, diligence, and utmost professionalism.” As Nigeria continues its push for a more robust and equitable economy, all eyes will be on this new office to deliver on its promise of fairness and accountability.