The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, on Monday officially launched the Office of the Tax Ombud’s digital case management portal, website, and call centre to strengthen taxpayer protection.

The unveiling ceremony, held in Abuja.

Also present were the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack; as well as heads of government agencies, development partners, and other key stakeholders in the tax ecosystem.

Speaking ahead of the unveiling, Oyedele stressed that taxpayers must be assured that when disputes arise, they will be heard impartially, treated with respect, and given access to timely, affordable, and accessible resolution channels.

He noted that the newly commissioned virtual platforms are especially important as they harness technology to enhance accessibility, efficiency, and responsiveness.

“Taxpayers, regardless of location, can now engage more easily with the digital resolution process without unnecessary administrative bottlenecks or delays. And the good news is that it is entirely free,” he said.

“This initiative aligns with the broader objectives of ongoing tax reform, including simplifying tax administration, reducing arbitrariness, protecting taxpayers’ rights, encouraging voluntary compliance, and building a fair and globally competitive fiscal system.”

The minister stated that while disputes are inevitable in any tax system, what sets a credible system apart is not the absence of disagreements, but the existence of transparent, efficient, and trusted mechanisms to resolve them.

“The establishment of the Office of the Tax Ombud reflects our commitment to strengthening taxpayer protection and improving confidence in the tax system,” he added.

Oyedele acknowledged the contributions of the Office of the Tax Ombud, the Joint Revenue Board, the Nigeria Revenue Service, the various State Internal Revenue Services, and other stakeholders for helping to bring the initiative to fruition.

Additionally, he unveiled the official website of the Office of the Tax Ombud, taxombud.gov.ng, alongside its toll-free call centre and digital case management system.

He expressed optimism that the various platforms and initiatives would mark the beginning of a new era in Nigeria’s tax administration—one in which taxpayers are seen not as adversaries, but as partners.

Meanwhile, the Tax Ombud and Chief Executive, John Nwabueze, said the office was established as an independent and impartial institution designed to give taxpayers access to timely, affordable, and effective channels for lodging complaints, resolving disputes, and encouraging voluntary tax compliance.