By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr John Nwabueze as the new Tax Ombudsman.
The appointment, announced by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, comes in line with the provisions of the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025. Onanuga said the move is part of Tinubu’s ongoing reforms in tax and revenue administration.
“The appointment aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to implementing far-reaching and sustainable reforms in the tax and revenue administration framework,” the statement read.
Hailing from Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nwabueze brings a wealth of experience from both public and private sectors. He previously served as Managing Partner of a 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.
Onanuga emphasised that Nwabueze “brings extensive professional and public service experience to the new job.”
The new Tax Ombudsman 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.
President Tinubu congratulated Nwabueze on his appointment, expressing confidence in his abilities.
“President Tinubu congratulates Nwabueze on this appointment and expresses confidence in his capacity to discharge the responsibilities of his office with integrity, diligence, and utmost professionalism,” Onanuga said.
The Office of the Tax Ombudsman was established to promote transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s tax system. According to Onanuga, it is designed to “enhance confidence in tax administration, and provide a structured mechanism for the fair and impartial resolution of disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities.”
The office will be responsible for handling complaints related to taxes, levies, regulatory fees, customs duties, excise matters, and other related issues, in line with existing laws and regulations. Previously, such matters were largely managed by agencies including the Federal Inland Revenue Service and state revenue boards.
The statement added that the new office is expected to protect taxpayers’ rights:
“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,” it said.
The establishment of the Tax Ombudsman reflects the continuity of President Tinubu’s fiscal and tax reform agenda, spearheaded by the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, chaired by Taiwo Oyedele. Inaugurated in August 2023, the committee was tasked with harmonising Nigeria’s tax system, reducing multiple taxation, improving revenue generation, and increasing the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio. It also seeks to simplify compliance procedures and boost public confidence in revenue administration.
Through the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025, the Federal Government aims to strengthen accountability and fairness in tax administration with the establishment of a Tax Ombudsman.