Tax Ombud Dr. Nwabueze Addresses Tax Burden on Businesses

Dr. John Nwabueze, the Tax Ombud and Chief Executive of the Office of the Tax Ombud, raised significant concerns regarding the impact of multiple taxes, levies, fees, and charges on Nigerian businesses during the 36th annual conference of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) in Lagos. He highlighted that the cumulative burden from various authorities complicates business operations and increases costs.

In his speech titled “Building Taxpayer Confidence and Trust in Nigeria’s Tax Reform Agenda,” Nwabueze stressed the importance of fostering trust in the tax system, which is essential for sustainable revenue generation. He noted that the four Tax Acts enacted in 2025 aimed to modernize revenue administration and improve coordination among tax institutions.

Furthermore, he questioned whether small business owners understood their tax obligations and whether they could receive timely responses to disputes. Nwabueze emphasized that tax evasion undermines public revenue and that both taxpayers and the government share the responsibility for a fair tax system.