The Federal Government has opened free dispute resolution channels to help Nigerians resolve tax issues without going to court, as part of the new tax reforms taking effect nationwide.
The move is being driven by the Office of the Tax Ombud, which now serves as an independent mediator between taxpayers and revenue authorities. The office says the goal is to make tax dispute resolution faster, cheaper, and more accessible for individuals and businesses.
According to the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. John Nwabueze, the ombud structure provides an alternative to lengthy and costly litigation. Instead of heading straight to the Tax Appeal Tribunal or the courts, taxpayers can first file complaints with the ombud office for early mediation.
“Before now, dispute resolution processes were often lengthy and costly for taxpayers. The ombud office now serves as a first line of intervention to mediate and reconcile issues between taxpayers and revenue authorities,” Nwabueze said.
The service is completely free of charge. Statutory guidelines allow for complaints to be resolved within 14 to 30 days, though timelines depend on how quickly the relevant agencies respond. The office is also expanding access through plans for regional offices, a toll-free call centre, and digital platforms, including an official website.
Officials say the initiative is part of broader reforms under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025 and the Joint Revenue Board Act 2025. These laws overhauled Nigeria’s dispute resolution framework to reduce adversarial enforcement and encourage dialogue between taxpayers and authorities.
The government argues that shifting from confrontation to consensus will improve trust, cut delays in revenue collection, and create a more predictable environment for investors and small businesses.
For taxpayers, it means they can now challenge assessments or raise complaints without paying legal fees upfront. The ombud office acts as a neutral platform to ensure fairness and accountability in the system.
