Tax Ombud Urges Nigerians to Use Free Mediation Service Amid 20 Complaints Received
Nigeria's Office of the Tax Ombud received 20 genuine taxpayer complaints in its first three months, mostly concerning state revenue services, with eight already resolved within the statutory 14-day period. The eight-month-old office, led by Dr. John Nwabueze, disclosed this at a Lagos breakfast meeting with business editors, emphasizing its free mediation service as an alternative to costly court proceedings for tax disputes.
The service matters because it offers zero-cost resolution for taxpayers who believe they've been unfairly treated by federal or state revenue authorities, directly addressing Nigeria's persistent multiple taxation issue at state and local levels. With the office expanding capacity to handle complex cases like digital asset taxation (following new NRS guidelines imposing up to 30% tax on virtual asset companies), it positions itself as a watchdog against arbitrary tax decisions while promoting voluntary compliance.
Taxpayers can access the service via digital portal, toll-free call center, or SMS callback, with the office planning nationwide sensitization campaigns and zonal offices across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones to improve accessibility. As the Federal Government's tax reform initiative matures, will you leverage this free mediation channel for your next tax dispute rather than incurring legal costs through litigation?