Enugu Emerges South-East Headquarters Of Tax Ombud As Mbah Backs Tinubu’s Tax Reforms

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Enugu State has been selected as the South-East Zonal Headquarters of the Office of the Tax Ombud, a move expected to improve taxpayer support services and strengthen tax administration across the region.

The Tax Ombud and Chief Executive of the Office of the Tax Ombud, Dr. John Nwabueze, disclosed this during a meeting with Governor Peter Mbah at the Government House in Enugu.

Nwabueze described Enugu as one of Nigeria’s leading industrial and commercial centres, noting that its strategic economic position and growing revenue base made it a suitable location for the regional headquarters.

He explained that the Office of the Tax Ombud was established to provide an independent, transparent and amicable platform for resolving disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities, particularly in cases involving multiple taxation and other tax-related grievances.

According to him, while paying taxes remains a civic responsibility, taxpayers deserve fair treatment and protection under the law.

“Effective dispute resolution will encourage voluntary tax compliance, reduce friction between taxpayers and tax authorities, and significantly improve public confidence in tax administration,” he said.

Nwabueze described the establishment of the Office of the Tax Ombud as one of the major outcomes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing tax reform agenda aimed at creating a fair, efficient and citizen-focused tax system.

He further revealed that the Office had launched an official website, a toll-free call centre and a digital case management portal to enable taxpayers obtain information, lodge complaints free of charge and track the progress of their cases in real time.

The Tax Ombud called for strategic collaboration with the Enugu State Government to deepen taxpayer protection and promote voluntary compliance.

Responding, Governor Mbah welcomed the decision to site the South-East headquarters in Enugu and pledged the state’s support, including the provision of the necessary facilities.

The governor said the state was well-positioned to host the institution, citing his administration’s target of expanding Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion within eight years through private sector-driven investments.

Mbah added that the establishment of the Office of the Tax Ombud comes at a crucial time when his administration is working to block revenue leakages and broaden the tax net to enhance compliance and boost internally generated revenue.

He also commended President Tinubu’s tax reform initiatives, saying sustainable revenue growth remains essential to delivering quality education, healthcare, infrastructure and other critical public services.