The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to building a transparent, accountable, and citizen-focused tax administration system as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at strengthening economic growth, improving revenue generation, and enhancing public trust in governance.
The commitment was reiterated by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during the unveiling of the official website and launch of the toll-free call centre of the Office of the Tax Ombud Nigeria in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, the new platforms represent a major step toward improving accessibility, fairness, and public engagement within Nigeria’s tax administration framework.
Speaking at the event, Idris described the initiative as a significant milestone in strengthening trust between taxpayers and government institutions while ensuring easier access to tax-related information and complaint-resolution mechanisms.
He stated that effective communication and citizen engagement remain critical to the success of the Federal Government’s ongoing economic reform agenda.
According to the Minister, the Tinubu administration remains focused on implementing strategic reforms designed to strengthen fiscal sustainability, expand government revenue, and accelerate national development through a more resilient and efficient economy.
Idris emphasized that taxation remains central to national development because it provides government with the financial resources needed to invest in critical sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, transportation, and security.
However, he stressed that tax administration cannot rely solely on enforcement measures, noting that long-term success depends heavily on transparency, fairness, accountability, and public confidence in the system.
“Tax administration cannot succeed on enforcement alone. It must be supported by public trust, transparency, fairness, and effective communication,” the Minister stated.
He explained that the Office of the Tax Ombud serves as an important bridge between taxpayers and tax authorities by providing Nigerians with access to an independent and professional mechanism for resolving tax-related complaints and disputes.
The launch of the toll-free call centre and official website, he added, would help eliminate communication barriers, improve public access to tax services, and make it easier for citizens to seek information, submit complaints, and resolve issues without unnecessary financial or administrative burdens.
“The launch of the Toll-Free Call Centre demonstrates a commitment to removing communication barriers and ensuring that Nigerians can easily seek information, make enquiries, and resolve complaints without unnecessary difficulties or financial burden,” Idris said.
The Minister also underscored the importance of civic education and public enlightenment in promoting voluntary tax compliance and encouraging responsible citizenship.
According to him, tax education extends beyond revenue generation and plays a broader role in building a culture of national participation and shared responsibility among citizens.
He warned that misinformation and poor communication often undermine reform efforts and contribute to public distrust, stressing the need for stronger collaboration among government agencies, media organizations, civil society groups, and other stakeholders to improve public understanding of tax reforms and policies.
“Misinformation and inadequate communication often contribute to distrust and resistance to reforms. This underscores the importance of strategic media engagement and sustained public communication,” he said.
Idris further reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to support nationwide sensitization campaigns aimed at educating Nigerians about tax reforms, taxpayer rights, and available complaint-resolution channels.
He noted that consistent and transparent communication would help citizens better understand how taxation supports the government’s broader economic and development agenda under the Renewed Hope initiative.
The Minister congratulated the Office of the Tax Ombud on the successful launch of the new platforms and urged stakeholders to continue collaborating toward building a tax administration system that is transparent, efficient, responsive, and citizen-centered.
Also present at the event were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele; the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack; the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Office of the Tax Ombud Nigeria, Dr. John C. Nwabueze; alongside other senior government officials and stakeholders.
The latest initiative forms part of broader efforts by the Federal Government to modernize public financial administration, improve tax compliance, expand the revenue base, and strengthen institutional trust as Nigeria continues implementing wide-ranging economic reforms.
