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The Nigerian government has appointed Dr John Nwabueze as the country’s first Tax Ombudsman, in line with the provisions of the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025.
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, announced the appointment in a statement on Tuesday, noting that it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to instituting lasting reforms in Nigeria’s tax and revenue administration system.
Dr Nwabueze, a native of Oshimili South Local Government Area in Delta State, brings wide-ranging expertise from both the public and private sectors. He previously served as Managing Partner of a leading 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 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
He 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.
President Tinubu congratulated Dr Nwabueze, expressing confidence in his integrity, professionalism, and ability to perform the role diligently.
According to the statement, the Office of the Tax Ombudsman was established to enhance transparency, accountability, and public trust in Nigeria’s tax administration. It will provide a formal structure for fair and impartial resolution of disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities.
The office is tasked with handling complaints related to taxes, levies, regulatory fees, customs duties, and excise matters, ensuring that such cases are managed efficiently and without bias. It will also safeguard taxpayers’ rights against arbitrary or abusive practices by tax officials.
