Tinubu Appoints Dr. John Nwabueze as Nigeria’s First Tax Ombudsman to Champion Fairness

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. John Nwabueze as Nigeria’s first-ever Tax Ombudsman, marking a pivotal step in the administration’s aggressive overhaul of the nation’s fiscal and revenue systems. The appointment, announced today, Tuesday, November 4, 2025, aligns with the provisions of the newly enacted Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025.

The Office of the Tax Ombudsman is designed to operate as a vital, independent link between the government’s revenue agencies and the taxpaying public. Its primary goal is to strengthen transparency and accountability, thereby enhancing public confidence in tax administration.

Dr. Nwabueze, an expert with extensive experience in professional and public service, is tasked with establishing a structured mechanism for the fair and impartial resolution of disputes.

A Mandate for Fairness and Impartiality

According to a statement from the Presidency, the Tax Ombudsman’s office will be responsible for receiving, reviewing, and resolving complaints concerning a wide range of fiscal matters, including taxes, levies, regulatory fees, customs duties, and excise matters.

Crucially, the Tax Ombudsman is mandated to ensure that disputes are managed in an efficient, impartial, and non-adversarial manner, serving as a safeguard for the rights of taxpayers against arbitrary or abusive exercise of authority by tax officials.

The new appointee, who hails from Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, holds impressive credentials, including a Doctor of Business Administration (Finance) from Walden University, USA, and previous advisory roles in both the Senate and the Presidency.

President Tinubu congratulated Dr. Nwabueze on the historic appointment, expressing full confidence in his capacity to discharge the responsibilities of the office with “integrity, diligence, and utmost professionalism.” The creation of the Tax Ombudsman is seen by policy experts as a major victory for taxpayer rights and a critical tool for boosting voluntary compliance in Nigeria.