Tinubu appoints John Nwabueze as first Tax Ombudsman

The Federal Government has appointed Dr. John Nwabueze as the Tax Ombudsman under the provisions of the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025.

Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, announced the appointment on Tuesday, noting that it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s plan to introduce far-reaching and sustainable reforms in Nigeria’s tax and revenue administration framework.

Dr. Nwabueze, who hails from Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, brings a wealth of experience from both the public and private sectors.

Before his appointment, he served as Managing Partner at a reputable tax advisory firm, Technical Adviser to the Joint Senate Committees on the Federal Capital Territory and Finance, and Technical Adviser to the Chief Economic Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He holds a Doctor of Business Administration (Finance) from Walden University, Minneapolis; an MSc in Accounting from Strayer University, Washington D.C.; and dual BSc degrees in Accounting and Mathematics from the University of Jos.

According to Onanuga, “President Tinubu congratulates Nwabueze on this appointment and expresses confidence in his capacity to discharge the responsibilities of his office with integrity, diligence, and utmost professionalism.”

The Office of the Tax Ombudsman was created to promote transparency, accountability, and trust in Nigeria’s tax system. It will provide a structured and fair mechanism for resolving disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities.

The office will also handle complaints related to taxes, levies, regulatory fees, customs duties, and excise matters in line with existing laws.

Additionally, the Ombudsman is mandated to ensure all tax disputes are handled efficiently, impartially, and without bias, safeguarding taxpayers against arbitrary or abusive actions by tax officials.