Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has assured the Tax Ombuds of Nigeria of the state government’s support to establish a regional office in Maiduguri, positioning the state as the administrative hub of the Northeast.
The governor gave the assurance when he received the pioneer Chief Executive Officer of the Tax Ombuds of Nigeria, Dr John Nwabueze, who led his management team on a courtesy visit to the Government House in Maiduguri.
“I am pleased to welcome you to Maiduguri, and I want to assure you that the government of Borno State, under my leadership, will provide the needed political will and commitment to supporting your office, with a view to establishing the regional office in Maiduguri,” Zulum said.
To fast-track the process, the governor directed the Tax Ombuds team to link with the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, the Commissioner for Finance, and the State Revenue Service Board to work out modalities for the office’s requirements.
“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,” he said.
The governor congratulated Dr Nwabueze as the pioneer Chief Executive Officer of the Tax Ombuds of Nigeria, reiterating his willingness to work with the agency.
Speaking on the mandate of the Tax Ombuds of Nigeria, Zulum said the organisation serves as an arbiter between taxpayers and tax authorities, filling a longstanding gap in the country’s tax administration framework.
“We have listened to the mandate of your organisation, as you have briefly mentioned — that you sit between taxpayers and the responsibility for tax collection. You are an arbiter. And I believe such an organisation did not exist in the country before. Even where similar efforts existed, they lacked the full legal backing to undertake this mandate,” the governor said.
The CEO of Tax Ombuds, Dr. John Nwabueze said his visit was to formally introduce himself and his office to the governor following his appointment by the President in June last year.
He described the creation of the office as a pragmatic step by the President to provide relief to Nigerian taxpayers facing disputes and complaints arising from tax and revenue-related issues.
“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. The role I have to play is to be an impartial and fair arbiter in cases involving citizens that have business with the tax and revenue authorities,” Nwabueze said.
Dr Nwabueze commended Governor Zulum for his efforts to restore peace, rebuild communities, and improve education and economic opportunities in the state.
