Kaduna State Government has moved to align its tax administration with Nigeria’s ongoing national tax reforms.
To this end, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has pledged stronger cooperation with the Office of the Tax Ombud to improve revenue collection, protect taxpayers and make the state more attractive to investors.
A statement from the Office of the Tax Ombud issued in Abuja on Wednesday said Governor Sani made the commitment when the Tax Ombud and Chief Executive, Dr John Nwabueze, paid a courtesy visit to him at the Kaduna State Government House.
The governor said the success of the country’s tax reforms would depend on closer cooperation between federal and state institutions, rather than separate efforts by different levels of government.
He said Kaduna was ready to work with the Office of the Tax Ombud to build a tax system that could generate more resources for development while giving taxpayers confidence that they would be treated fairly.
According to him, the creation of a fair, efficient and transparent tax system was important not only for increasing government revenue but also for improving Kaduna’s competitiveness and ability to attract investment.
Sani said, ‘Building a strong and sustainable national tax system capable of mobilising adequate revenue for development cannot be achieved in silos,’ stressing the need for effective cooperation between federal and state institutions.
The governor’s position comes as governments at both federal and state levels seek to improve domestic revenue and reduce dependence on other sources of funding for public services and development projects.
He described the Tax Ombud as an important institution in building taxpayer confidence, particularly at the state level, where citizens and businesses interact directly with tax and revenue agencies.
Sani also called for greater awareness among taxpayers about their rights and the avenues available to them when they have legitimate complaints against revenue authorities.
He said making taxpayers aware of the free mediation and alternative dispute resolution services provided by the Office of the Tax Ombud would help build trust and encourage more people and businesses to voluntarily meet their tax obligations.
The governor commended Nwabueze for engaging stakeholders across the country to improve public understanding of the role of the Tax Ombud and the services available to taxpayers.
Dr. John Nwabueze, in his remarks, said the Tax Ombud was ready to work with Kaduna State to improve confidence in tax administration and provide a channel through which genuine complaints could be resolved.
He explained that the office supports state governments’ efforts to improve revenue by helping to resolve disputes between taxpayers and tax authorities.
Nwabueze said taxpayers who believe they have been treated unfairly by tax and revenue agencies should have access to an independent mechanism for seeking redress.
‘Tax compliance and taxpayer rights must go hand in hand if we are to achieve the increased tax-to-GDP growth that Nigeria needs,’ he said.
The Tax Ombud said the way taxes are administered at the state level could influence how citizens view the entire tax system.
He noted that when taxpayers believe the system is fair and transparent, they are more likely to comply with their obligations.
For businesses, he said, a predictable tax environment was also important because uncertainty over tax obligations and disputes with revenue authorities could affect investment decisions and business operations.
Nwabueze therefore called for closer cooperation between state governments, the Joint Revenue Board and the Office of the Tax Ombud in implementing the country’s tax reforms.
He said the objective should be to develop a tax system capable of raising enough money for development while also protecting taxpayers and creating conditions that encourage investment.
He described Kaduna as an important partner in the success of the tax reforms being implemented under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Nwabueze said Kaduna has the potential to show how better revenue administration can support economic growth without weakening taxpayers’ rights.
‘We believe that Kaduna State can serve as an important example of how efficient revenue administration can support economic growth while protecting taxpayers,’ he said.
He also appealed to Governor Sani to support increased taxpayer education and voluntary compliance, as well as constructive engagement between the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service, taxpayers and the Tax Ombud.
Such cooperation, he said, would help produce a more predictable tax environment, improve revenue performance and create better operating conditions for businesses and investors.