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New website, case management system, and toll-free call centre aim to build public trust and transparency in tax administration.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially launched the digital Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) website and its integrated case management portal, offering citizens completely free, transparent, and independent tax dispute resolution.
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Unveiled in Abuja by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, alongside the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the rollout transitions the country away from bureaucratic, traditional communication methods toward an integrated digital public service ecosystem.
Key Features of the New Infrastructure
Digital Case Portal: Accessible via the Tax Ombud Portal, allowing individuals and corporate entities to lodge tax complaints from any location.
Real-Time Tracking: Taxpayers can monitor the operational status and progress of their active mediation cases digitally.
Toll-Free Call Centre: Citizens can initiate cases, request information, or speak directly with trained support personnel at 08000089632 without incurring financial costs.
Automated Internal Management: An internal logging engine categorizes, assigns, and tracks disputes to prevent administrative bottlenecks.
Institutional Mandate and Legislative Background
The Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) was established under Part VI of the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025, which forms part of the national fiscal overhaul taking full effect in 2026. Led by Chief Executive Officer Dr. John C. Nwabueze, the office acts as an impartial bridge between taxpayers and enforcement authorities like the Nigeria Revenue Service. Its overarching mandate is to review grievances, reverse arbitrary decisions, and safeguard taxpayers’ rights at no legal expense to the public.
Minister of Information: “A Major Milestone in Strengthening Public Trust”
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the initiative as a major milestone in promoting fairness, accountability, and citizen-focused tax administration under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This is a major milestone in strengthening public trust, improving accessibility, and promoting fairness in Nigeria’s tax administration system. Effective communication and citizen engagement remain central to the success of ongoing economic reforms such as this,” Idris said.
He noted that the Tinubu administration remains committed to implementing strategic reforms aimed at strengthening revenue generation, enhancing fiscal sustainability, and accelerating national development. According to Idris, taxation remains critical to national development by providing government with resources needed to invest in infrastructure, healthcare, education, transportation, and security.
However, he stressed that sustainable tax administration must be driven not only by enforcement but also by transparency, fairness, and public confidence.
“Tax administration cannot succeed on enforcement alone. It must be supported by public trust, transparency, fairness, and effective communication,” Idris stated.
He explained that the Tax Ombud Office serves as a bridge between taxpayers and tax authorities, ensuring Nigerians have access to a fair and professional mechanism for resolving tax-related complaints.
“The launch of the Toll-Free Call Centre demonstrates a commitment to removing communication barriers and ensuring that Nigerians can easily seek information, make enquiries, and resolve complaints without unnecessary difficulties or financial burden,” he added.
Tax Ombud CEO: “A Major Step Towards Improving Taxpayer Experience”
Also speaking at the event, the Tax Ombud and Chief Executive Officer of the Office of the Tax Ombud, Dr. John C. Nwabueze, said the unveiling of the website, taxpayer call centre, and digital case management portal marks a major step towards improving taxpayer experience and strengthening dispute resolution mechanisms.
Dr. Nwabueze emphasized that the office’s overarching mandate is to review grievances, reverse arbitrary decisions, and safeguard taxpayers’ rights at no legal expense to the public.
A New Era for Tax Dispute Resolution
The launch of the digital Office of the Tax Ombud represents a significant shift in Nigeria’s approach to tax administration. By providing free, transparent, and independent dispute resolution mechanisms, the Federal Government aims to build public trust, encourage voluntary compliance, and create a more equitable tax system for all Nigerians.
Citizens and corporate entities can now access the portal, lodge complaints, track cases in real time, and seek assistance via the toll-free call centre—all at no cost.
