Why FG Appointed Nwabueze As Tax Ombudsman

THE Federal Government has appointed Dr John Nwabueze as Nigeria’s Tax Ombudsman, in accordance with the provisions of the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025.

A statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, explained that the appointment underscores President Bola Tinubu’s determination to drive comprehensive and sustainable reforms in the nation’s tax and revenue administration system.

Dr Nwabueze, an indigene of Oshimili South Local Government Area in Delta State, is bringing to the role an extensive background in both professional practice and public service.

Before his new appointment, he served as Managing Partner of a prominent tax advisory firm, Technical Adviser to the Joint Senate Committees on the Federal Capital Territory and Finance, and Technical Adviser to the Chief Economic Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, among other strategic roles in the public and private sectors.

A distinguished academic, Dr Nwabueze holds a Doctor of Business Administration (Finance) from Walden University, Minneapolis; a Master of Science in Accounting from Strayer University, Washington, D.C.; and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Mathematics from the University of Jos, Nigeria.

President Tinubu congratulated Dr Nwabueze on his appointment, expressing confidence that he will serve with “integrity, diligence, and professionalism.”

The Office of the Tax Ombudsman, created to strengthen accountability and fairness within Nigeria’s tax system, is designed to foster public confidence in tax administration and provide an impartial mechanism for resolving disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities.

The ombudsman’s office will be responsible for receiving, reviewing, and resolving complaints relating to taxes, levies, regulatory fees, customs duties, and excise matters in line with existing laws. It will also ensure that such disputes are addressed efficiently and fairly, protecting taxpayers from arbitrary or abusive actions by tax officials.