Tax Ombud, NCC, CAC Seek Stronger Collaboration to Build Trust in Tax System
The Chief Executive and Tax Ombud, Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO), Dr John Nwabueze, has called for stronger collaboration among tax and revenue-generating agencies to promote fairness, transparency and trust in Nigeria’s tax administration.
Nwabueze made the call on Thursday in Abuja at a stakeholder engagement organised by the OTO with the theme, “Promoting Fairness, Transparency and Trust in Tax Administration in Nigeria.”
He said the engagement was aimed at strengthening the relationship between taxpayers and revenue authorities, stressing that effective tax administration must combine revenue mobilisation with taxpayer protection and access to redress.
According to him, the OTO, established under Part VI of the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025, is mandated to receive, investigate and resolve complaints relating to taxes, levies, regulatory fees and charges, customs duties and excise matters.
Nwabueze disclosed that the office had launched its website, interactive contact centre and case management portal to enable taxpayers submit complaints, track cases and access assistance.
He added that the OTO was working with state governments to establish zonal offices, with at least three expected to commence operations within the next few weeks.
The Tax Ombud also announced plans to launch the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights and Obligations, urging revenue agencies to support its dissemination to improve awareness, encourage voluntary compliance and reduce disputes.
He proposed that revenue-generating agencies designate liaison officers to facilitate information sharing, complaint referrals and faster resolution of taxpayer disputes.
NCC, CAC Back Collaboration
In his goodwill message, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida, represented by the Commission’s Director of Financial Services, James Kalu, said a trusted tax system was essential to improving compliance, revenue mobilisation and the investment climate.
Maida urged tax authorities to embrace innovation, simplify processes, strengthen accountability and maintain open channels of engagement with taxpayers.
He said collaboration among regulators, revenue authorities, businesses and citizens would help create an environment where compliance was driven by trust rather than enforcement alone.
Also, the Registrar-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mr Husaini Ishaq Magaji, represented by the Commission’s Director of Finance and Administration, called for stronger inter-agency collaboration to build a trusted revenue administration system.
Magaji said reliable corporate information could support taxpayer identification, data verification and compliance monitoring while helping to reduce tax evasion and other financial crimes.
He stressed that information sharing among agencies must be guided by clear legal frameworks, data protection safeguards and responsible mechanisms.
He also called for greater economic formalisation, saying bringing more legitimate businesses into the formal system would expand the revenue base while improving businesses’ access to finance, markets and government programmes.
