Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
ENUGU, Nigeria – Enugu State has been officially designated as the South-East Zonal Headquarters of the Office of the Tax Ombud, a move aimed at enhancing taxpayer support services, strengthening tax administration, and improving the tax-to-GDP ratio by bringing services closer to individuals and businesses across the region. The announcement was made on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, by the Tax Ombud and Chief Executive Officer of the Office, Dr. John Nwabueze, during a visit to Governor Peter Mbah at the Government House in Enugu. The decision, Nwabueze explained, was informed by Enugu’s strategic position as one of Nigeria’s foremost industrial and commercial hubs and its growing contribution to revenue generation.
Nwabueze noted that tax‑related disputes, including challenges arising from multiple taxation, are common in vibrant commercial environments like Enugu, and stressed that the Office of the Tax Ombud was established to provide timely, transparent, impartial, and amicable mechanisms for resolving disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities. “While the payment of taxes remains an inalienable civic responsibility, taxpayers equally deserve to be treated fairly, respectfully and in accordance with the law as they fulfil this obligation,” he stated. According to him, effective dispute resolution would encourage voluntary tax compliance, reduce friction between taxpayers and tax authorities, and significantly diminish public scepticism towards tax matters.
The Tax Ombud described the establishment of the office as one of the landmark achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing tax reform agenda, aimed at building a fair, efficient, and citizen-centred tax system. As part of efforts to improve accessibility and public engagement, Nwabueze disclosed that the Office recently unveiled its official website, launched a toll‑free call centre, and introduced a digital case management portal. These platforms enable taxpayers to obtain information, lodge complaints online or by telephone at no cost, and monitor the progress of their cases in real time. He explained that the Office of the Tax Ombud operates as an independent and impartial institution established under the Joint Tax Board (Establishment) Act, 2025, with the mandate to receive, review, and resolve complaints relating to taxes, levies, regulatory fees, customs duties, and excise matters.
Nwabueze also called for strategic collaboration with the Enugu State Government to deepen taxpayer protection, promote voluntary tax compliance, and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s evolving tax administration system. Responding, Governor Peter Mbah welcomed the decision and pledged the state’s full support, including the provision of necessary facilities for the successful operation of the zonal headquarters. He said Enugu was well‑positioned to host the regional office, citing his administration’s ambition to grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion within eight years through private sector‑led investments. Mbah noted that the establishment of the Office of the Tax Ombud comes at a crucial time when his administration is intensifying efforts to block revenue leakages, widen the tax net, and improve tax compliance. He also commended President Tinubu’s tax reform initiatives, describing them as necessary for driving sustainable revenue growth and providing government with the resources needed to deliver quality education, healthcare, infrastructure, and other critical public services.
The establishment of the South‑East Zonal Headquarters in Enugu is expected to bring taxpayer support services closer to individuals and businesses across the region while strengthening dispute resolution and promoting a more transparent tax administration system. As of the time of this report, the Office of the Tax Ombud had not announced a specific timeline for the full operationalisation of the zonal headquarters, but both the Tax Ombud and the Enugu State Government have expressed commitment to ensuring its prompt establishment.
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