Business
President Tinubu Receives Nigeria’s Tax Ombudsman, Urges Fairness and Transparency in Tax Administration
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday received Dr. John Nwabueze, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Tax Complaints Commission—widely known as the Tax Ombudsman—at the State House in Abuja.
The meeting, attended by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, comes as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s tax reform agenda and build public confidence in the revenue system.
Dr. Nwabueze was appointed by President Tinubu on November 4, 2025, as the pioneer Tax Ombudsman under the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025.
The legislation establishes the Office of the Tax Ombud (also referred to as the Tax Complaints Commission) to serve as an independent body for investigating and resolving disputes between taxpayers and tax authorities, including complaints related to taxes, levies, customs duties, excise matters, and regulatory charges.
During the audience, President Tinubu charged Dr. Nwabueze to diligently execute his mandate with integrity, impartiality, and professionalism. The President reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and accountability in tax administration, emphasizing that the new office is a critical tool for protecting taxpayers’ rights, reducing arbitrary actions by officials, and fostering voluntary compliance.
The establishment of the Tax Ombudsman is seen as a key pillar of President Tinubu’s broader fiscal reforms aimed at harmonizing revenue administration across federal, state, and local levels, curbing multiple taxation, and creating a more predictable and equitable business environment.
Dr. Nwabueze, a seasoned tax professional from Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, brings extensive experience in tax policy, fiscal advisory, and public service. His background includes roles as Managing Partner of a tax advisory firm, Technical Adviser to National Assembly committees, and adviser to former economic teams.
The new laws empowering the Tax Complaints Commission are expected to enhance taxpayer protection, promote efficient dispute resolution through mediation rather than litigation, and ultimately boost trust in Nigeria’s revenue framework amid the country’s push for sustainable economic growth and improved revenue generation.
Business
CBN revokes 46 MFBs’ licences
According to the revocation order, the action became necessary because of one or more of: insufficient assets to meet liabilities; closure of operations without the CBN approval; and inactivity and cessation of financial intermediation.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revoked the operating licences of 46 Microfinance Banks (MFBs).
CBN’s Ag. Director of Communications, Mrs. Hakama Sidi-Ali disclosed that the revocation becomes effective today.
She emphasised that the revocation was in accordance with its powers under Sections 12 and 13 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA), 2020.
“The revocation was approved by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. OlayemiCardoso, following the banks’ failure to meet the regulatory requirements for continued operation as licensed financial institutions,” she said.
According to the revocation order, the action became necessary because of one or more of: insufficient assets to meet liabilities; closure of operations without the CBN approval; and inactivity and cessation of financial intermediation.
Others were: failure to commence operations within 12 months of licence approval, and failure to maintain minimum capital funds unimpaired by losses.
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The Federal Government has intensified efforts to protect Nigeria’s pig industry from the growing threat of African Swine Fever, a highly contagious livestock disease.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, says the government is strengthening biosecurity measures, disease surveillance, and stakeholder collaboration to prevent the spread of the disease and safeguard livestock production nationwide.
Speaking during a technical presentation on the status of African Swine Fever in Nigeria, the Minister commended the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Federation, Dr. Yakubu Yanet Ago, for sharing lessons from a recent study visit to Denmark.
He said that the experiences gained from the visit would help Nigeria develop practical solutions to livestock health challenges and improve preparedness against disease outbreaks.
Maiha highlighted Denmark’s pig traceability and compensation system, where every pig is tracked from birth and farmers contribute to a dedicated fund that provides compensation during disease outbreaks.
According to him, such a model encourages early disease reporting, strengthens transparency, and could be adapted to support Nigeria’s livestock sector.
The Minister also pointed to Denmark’s strict biosecurity measures, including mandatory disinfection of vehicles transporting pigs and controls to prevent contact with wild animals.
He stressed that biosecurity should be viewed as an investment rather than a burden, noting that strict movement controls and farm access restrictions have proven effective in containing disease outbreaks.
To strengthen disease prevention, the Minister directed relevant departments to map livestock movement routes, identify major pig markets and commercial farms, improve animal traceability systems, and deepen collaboration with pig farmers, state governments, and development partners.
He also called for stronger surveillance systems, improved laboratory capacity, and greater investment in veterinary research.
In his remarks, the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Federation, Dr. Yakubu Yanet Ago, described African Swine Fever as a devastating viral disease with mortality rates of up to one hundred percent and revealed that outbreaks have been recorded in about twelve states.
He revealed that the Federal Government’s response focuses on improved surveillance, farmer education, and stronger biosecurity, while urging greater cooperation among all tiers of government, increased funding, and alignment with international disease control strategies to achieve long-term eradication of the disease.
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