The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has dismissed claims that Nigerians will be required to obtain a separate Tax Identification Number (TIN) before opening or operating a bank account, saying the new tax framework integrates automatically with existing national identity systems.
The clarification follows public concern sparked by reports suggesting that, from January 2026, citizens without a TIN would be unable to access banking services.
Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the FIRS Executive Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, described the reports as “misleading” in a statement shared on her official X handle on Saturday.
“In recent debates about Nigeria’s tax reforms, a widespread misconception has taken root: that citizens without a Tax Identification Number (TIN) cannot own or operate a bank account. This view is incorrect,” she said.
According to Atoyebi, the TIN is a 13-digit identifier designed to uniquely capture details of taxable individuals and entities. However, it is not a separate requirement imposed on Nigerians. Instead, it is automatically generated and linked to foundational identifiers such as the National Identification Number (NIN) for individuals and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration number for businesses.
“When an individual provides their NIN, such as during bank account opening or KYC processes, the system cross-checks the NIN in the national database. As part of this verification, the TIN is automatically retrieved and attached to the person’s records. Citizens do not need to manually apply for or present a TIN,” she explained.
For businesses, she added, the same process applies using their CAC registration numbers, while cooperatives, partnerships, professional bodies and trustees are also covered through their recognised registries.
Atoyebi highlighted several benefits of the integrated system, including:
- Seamless banking access: Bank accounts can be opened using NIN or RC numbers, with TINs automatically linked.
- Fraud reduction: Duplicate or false identities are eliminated through registry-based verification.
- Regulatory compliance: Financial institutions can rely on a single source of truth for onboarding and KYC.
- Inclusivity: Coverage extends beyond companies to associations and professional bodies.
- Global compatibility: Nigeria’s tax system can interact securely with international compliance frameworks.
She stressed that the misconception around TINs overlooks the system’s design to simplify processes rather than create new barriers.
“In practice, this means a Nigerian walking into a bank with their NIN is already tax-compliant. The bank simply retrieves their TIN as part of its onboarding process,” she said.
Atoyebi concluded that the framework is not only a compliance tool but also a driver of financial inclusion, regulatory transparency, and global integration for Nigeria’s digital economy.
