Stakeholders unite to promote taxpayer rights in North-West

THE Office of the Tax Ombud, in collaboration with key stakeholders from the public and private sectors across the North-West geopolitical zone, recommitted to addressing taxpayers’ grievances and promoting trust in tax and revenue authorities in the country.

The resolution was made at the end of a landmark stakeholder engagement programme in Kaduna focused on promoting fairness, protecting taxpayers’ rights, and advancing effective revenue administration in Nigeria.

The two-day engagement held between 28 and 29, September, was attended by representatives of the seven state governments in the zone, members of the organised private sector, business owners and professional bodies, provided a platform for strategic dialogue and collaboration between taxpayers and tax and revenue authorities.

In his welcome address, the Tax Ombud/Chief Executive of the Office of the Tax Ombud, Dr John Nwabueze, highlighted the institution’s mandate as an independent, impartial and non-judicial body dedicated to addressing operational, procedural and administrative grievances in tax and revenue administration.

“Our focus is not only on the rights of taxpayers but also on their responsibilities and those of the relevant authorities. Our services, which are offered free of charge, are designed to resolve disputes, mediate complaints, and promote a transparent, fair and consistent tax administration system,” Dr Nwabueze stated.

The Tax Ombud added that: “It is important to clarify what we do not do. The Tax Ombud is not a mechanism for cancelling legitimate tax liabilities merely because the taxpayer does not wish to pay. We do not make tax policy. We do not encourage non-compliance. We do not shield taxpayers from their lawful obligations and we are certainly not the courts.”

Dr Nwabueze said the engagement in the North-West included a roadshow across Kaduna metropolis to sensitise taxpayers and business owners on their rights and responsibilities, as well as the role of the Tax Ombud.

He said: “This direct outreach provided an opportunity for taxpayers to interact with officials and lodge complaints on the spot, reinforcing the Ombud’s commitment to transparency and accessibility.”

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In his speech, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, emphasised the importance of increased taxpayer compliance in boosting tax revenue to fund the state’s developmental projects and social services, which are among the statutory responsibilities of government.

The Governor said that since the inception of his administration, the Kaduna State Government had improved its tax collection processes through the use of technology and regular engagement with taxpayers to enhance revenue generation.

He stressed the important role the Office of the Tax Ombud could play in deepening tax revenue in the state, noting that its free mediation services were expected to strengthen taxpayer confidence and encourage greater compliance.

The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner of Finance, Hon. Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed, appealed to the Tax Ombud to consider Kaduna State as the North-West Regional Headquarters of the Office, pledging to provide an enabling environment for the immediate take-off of the office in Kaduna.

For Sokoto State, Governor Dr Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto described the establishment of the Office of the Tax Ombud as timely and commendable, particularly at a time when subnational governments are seeking to deepen internally generated revenue to provide infrastructure and social services for their people.

Represented by the Special Adviser on Revenue and Taxation, Hon. Isah Mu’azu, the Governor expressed confidence that the Tax Ombud would strengthen taxpayer trust in Nigeria by promoting fairness in tax administration and providing an alternative dispute resolution mechanism.

He said the Ombud’s intervention would help address gaps in the tax administration ecosystem by providing taxpayers with an accessible mechanism for resolving complaints and disputes.

The Governor said: “Our support for the Tax Ombud’s work will help ensure equitable treatment and address long-standing challenges in tax collection and administration.”

In his goodwill message, the Acting Chairman of the Kaduna Internal Revenue Service, Dr Muhammad Lawal, said: “This engagement strengthens our shared objective to build trust in the tax system and support taxpayers through transparent processes.”

In his remarks, the representative of the Nigerian Revenue Service, Falalu Yahya, described the establishment of the Office of the Tax Ombud as a commendable regulatory initiative that would provide relief to taxpayers who may otherwise face slow and costly litigation processes that are not easily accessible, particularly for low-income taxpayers.

He urged the Tax Ombud to protect the rights of all parties that may appear before the Office, noting that tax authorities could also approach the Ombud with complaints against taxpayers over alleged unfair treatment and other grievances requiring mediation.

The North-West Zonal Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Kabir Kassim, said: “The private sector welcomes this partnership as a path to creating a fairer environment for businesses across the region.”

The Chairman of the ICAN Kaduna District, AbdulAzeez Olagunju, said: “Upholding fairness in revenue administration is critical for economic growth, and we are fully committed to this initiative.”

The stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to active participation, continuous dialogue and collaborative efforts towards building a fair, transparent and accountable tax ecosystem in Nigeria’s North-West region and beyond.