The Office of the Tax Ombud has announced plans to introduce a Taxpayer Bill of Rights and Obligations within the coming weeks.
The initiative is designed to improve taxpayers’ understanding of their rights and responsibilities while promoting fairness in Nigeria’s tax administration. Tax Ombud and Chief Executive Officer of the Office of the Tax Ombud, John Nwabueze, disclosed this on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ engagement in Abuja.
Nwabueze said the proposed document would clearly explain the standards of fairness, transparency and accountability taxpayers should expect from tax and revenue authorities. He added that the document would be accessible through the office’s digital platforms and other public channels once launched.
“We believe this will strengthen taxpayer awareness, encourage voluntary compliance, prevent disputes and build greater trust across the tax ecosystem,” Nwabueze said.
The Tax Ombud described the stakeholders’ meeting as part of a wider campaign to educate Nigerians about taxpayer rights. He assured stakeholders that the office would continue working towards a tax system that is fair, transparent and responsive to taxpayers. According to Nwabueze, simplifying the tax system and ensuring equitable treatment are important steps towards rebuilding public confidence in tax administration.
“This is not simply about discussing taxation and revenue. It is about strengthening the relationship between the taxpayer and the institutions responsible for administering public revenue,” he said.
Nwabueze explained that the OTO had begun a structured awareness and stakeholder sensitisation programme across its areas of responsibility. The programme is intended to improve public understanding of the office’s mandate, available services and mechanisms for protecting taxpayer rights.
He stressed that effective protection would depend partly on citizens understanding the rights available to them and knowing where to seek redress when those rights are violated. The Tax Ombud also disclosed that Nigeria’s Office of the Tax Ombud was the third institution of its kind established in Africa and the ninth globally.
He said the development placed Nigeria within a broader international movement towards modernising tax administration and strengthening protections for taxpayers. The planned Taxpayer Bill of Rights and Obligations is therefore expected to provide a clearer framework for interactions between taxpayers and revenue authorities while supporting voluntary compliance and reducing avoidable tax disputes.
