By Our Reporter
Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Office of the Tax Ombudsman, describing the move as a major step toward economic fairness, investor confidence, and improved taxpayer protection.
The commendation was made by the Managing Director of IMPR, Mr. Yushau Shuaib, while receiving a high-level media delegation from the Office of the Tax Ombudsman at the company’s headquarters in Abuja.
The delegation, which represented the Chief Executive Officer of the Office, Dr. John Nwabueze, was led by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Chukwudi Achife, alongside the Head of Media, Yusuf Issa An-Nuphawi.
Speaking during the meeting, Shuaib said the appointment of Dr. Nwabueze, whom he described as a professional with a clean reputation, provides a credible foundation for the new institution. He stressed that the Office must function as a transparent and impartial arbiter capable of shielding citizens and businesses from administrative excesses.
“The success of any public institution rests on the credibility of its leadership and the cohesion of its team,” Shuaib said. “Taxpayers can now look forward to more accessible dispute resolution mechanisms and protection from over-taxation, which will, in turn, strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s fiscal system.”
He further pledged IMPR’s professional support in crisis communication, public enlightenment, and media monitoring. According to him, strategic communication will be critical in simplifying complex tax regulations for ordinary citizens, tracking public sentiment nationwide, and helping the institution anticipate and manage resistance that may arise from entrenched interests.
Earlier, the Head of Media at the Office of the Tax Ombudsman, Yusuf Issa An-Nuphawi, explained that the institution was created following the enactment of the Joint Revenue Board Act, 2025. He said the Office is mandated to oversee the activities of 22 revenue-generating agencies and to serve as an independent mediator in tax-related disputes.
He noted that the Ombudsman’s core objectives include decongesting the courts by resolving disputes through mediation and conciliation, reducing the cost of justice by offering free complaint channels for taxpayers, and boosting voluntary tax compliance beginning in 2026.
An-Nuphawi added that the Office will operate with a nationwide reach, supported by technology-driven processes aimed at ensuring quick resolution of cases, especially straightforward complaints. He also emphasized that the institution has the authority to initiate legal action against defaulting agencies where necessary.
Also speaking, the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Chukwudi Achife, stressed that the Office is designed to serve all Nigerians, not just large corporations or urban elites.
“Whether you are in a rural community or a major city, you can report grievances in your local language through our dedicated call lines and digital platforms,” Achife said. “Our mandate is to give taxpayers a safe and accessible place to turn when they feel unfairly treated. We are the bridge between the government’s revenue goals and the citizen’s right to fairness.”
The visit concluded with a shared commitment by both organisations to deepen collaboration in strengthening taxpayer confidence and supporting the Federal Government’s broader revenue reform and investment objectives.
