MAIDUGURI — Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has pledged the state government’s support for the establishment of a regional headquarters of the Tax Ombuds of Nigeria in Maiduguri.
The proposed office is expected to strengthen access to the tax dispute resolution mechanism across the Northeast and further position Maiduguri as a regional centre for tax administration and related services.
Zulum made the commitment on Monday when the pioneer Chief Executive Officer of the Tax Ombuds of Nigeria, Dr John Nwabueze, led members of his management team on a courtesy visit to the Borno State Government House in Maiduguri.
The governor said his administration was prepared to provide the political support and necessary assistance required to facilitate the establishment of the regional office.
He directed the visiting team to liaise with the Secretary to the State Government, the Commissioner for Finance and the State Revenue Service Board to determine the immediate and long-term requirements for setting up the office.
“We shall identify what will cater for your immediate needs, while also looking into sustainable, durable solutions for the medium and long term. In the meantime, we will provide office space to you, inshallah, within the shortest possible time,” Zulum said.
The governor congratulated Nwabueze on his appointment as the pioneer CEO of the Tax Ombuds and expressed his administration’s readiness to collaborate with the agency.
Zulum described the Tax Ombuds as an important addition to Nigeria’s tax administration system, particularly in providing an independent avenue for addressing disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities.
He noted that the institution would help strengthen fairness and accountability in tax administration by providing an avenue through which taxpayers could seek redress over complaints arising from tax-related matters.
The governor said the establishment of a regional office in Maiduguri would be beneficial to taxpayers and businesses across the Northeast by bringing the services of the institution closer to the people.
Earlier, Nwabueze said the purpose of the visit was to formally introduce himself and the Tax Ombuds office to the governor following his appointment by the President in June 2025.
He described the establishment of the Tax Ombuds as a practical intervention aimed at addressing complaints and disputes between taxpayers and tax and revenue authorities.
According to him, the office is mandated to protect taxpayers’ rights, promote fairness and transparency and provide an independent platform for resolving tax-related complaints.
“Our responsibility is to strengthen trust in the tax system by protecting taxpayers’ rights, promoting fairness and transparency, and providing an independent avenue for resolving tax-related complaints,” Nwabueze said.
He explained that his responsibility as Tax Ombuds was to serve as an impartial arbiter in disputes involving citizens and tax or revenue authorities.
Nwabueze commended Governor Zulum for his administration’s efforts towards restoring peace, rebuilding communities and expanding opportunities in education and the economy across Borno State.
