FG unveils Digital Tax Complaint system to boost transparency

The Federal Government has unveiled a new digital tax complaint and dispute-resolution system aimed at improving transparency, strengthening taxpayer confidence, and encouraging voluntary tax compliance across the country.

The initiative, launched through the Office of the Tax Ombud, includes an official website, toll-free taxpayer call centre, and digital case management portal designed to simplify the resolution of tax-related complaints and improve interaction between taxpayers and revenue authorities.

Unveiling the platforms in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the initiative as a major reform targeted at making Nigeria’s tax administration more transparent, accessible, and citizen-focused under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Idris said sustainable tax administration depends not only on enforcement but also on public trust, fairness, and effective communication with taxpayers.

According to him, the new digital platforms will help remove barriers that often discourage Nigerians from seeking clarification or reporting tax-related grievances, while also improving confidence in the country’s revenue system.

He stressed that taxation remains critical to funding key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, transportation, and security, adding that stronger taxpayer confidence is essential for improving revenue generation and fiscal sustainability.

“Tax administration cannot succeed on enforcement alone. It must be supported by public trust, transparency, fairness, and effective communication,” the minister stated.

The minister further emphasised the importance of public sensitisation and civic education in promoting voluntary compliance, noting that misinformation and poor communication often undermine tax reform efforts and weaken public trust.

He pledged continued support from the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in driving awareness campaigns on tax reforms, taxpayers’ rights, and available complaint-resolution channels.

Read also:‘Don’t Push Me Too Far’ — Gov Yusuf confronts Kwankwaso over attacks

The Tax Ombud and Chief Executive Officer of the Office of the Tax Ombud, Dr. John C. Nwabueze, while speaking at the event said the digital platforms represent a major step toward building a more responsive and accountable tax administration system.

According to him, taxpayers and businesses can now file complaints online or through the toll-free call centre, track their cases in real time, access relevant tax information, and engage directly with trained support personnel.

Nwabueze explained that the Office of the Tax Ombud was established as an independent institution to mediate between taxpayers and revenue authorities through conciliation, stakeholder engagement, and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

He described the initiative as part of broader efforts to modernise tax administration and improve taxpayer experience in line with ongoing fiscal reforms.

The Tax Ombud also commended the support of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, as well as the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zachh Adedeji, for advancing taxpayer-focused reforms and strengthening revenue administration.

Speaking at the unveiling on Monday, the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said, “These platforms of peaceful resolution mechanisms constitute an important milestone in Nigeria’s fiscal reform journey.

“A modern tax system must be built not only on efficient revenue collection, but also on fairness, accountability, transparency, and trust”.

The Minister noted that “this initiative aligns with the broader objectives of the ongoing tax reforms, including simplifying tax administration, reducing arbitrariness, protecting taxpayers’ rights, encouraging voluntary compliance, and building a fair and globally competitive fiscal system,” he added.

Present at the launch were the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, alongside other senior government officials and stakeholders in the tax and fiscal sector.