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 maintaining a bank account.
The clarification follows public concerns sparked by reports suggesting that, from January 2026, every Nigerian must present a TIN to access banking services.
Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the FIRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, explained in a post on her official X handle on Saturday that the reports were misleading.
“In recent debates about Nigeria’s tax reforms, a widespread misconception has taken root: that citizens without a TIN cannot own or operate a bank account. This is not true,” she wrote.
How the system works
According to her, Nigeria’s new tax framework is designed to work automatically with existing national registries, including the National Identification Number (NIN) for individuals and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) records for businesses.
This means that individuals who already have a NIN do not need to apply separately for a TIN. “When a person provides their NIN during processes like bank account opening or Know Your Customer (KYC) checks, the system automatically retrieves and attaches their TIN in real time,” she explained.
Similarly, businesses automatically get their TIN through their CAC registration numbers. The same applies to associations, professional bodies and cooperatives, which are linked to their respective registries.
What is a TIN?
Atoyebi explained that the TIN is a 13-digit identifier used to uniquely recognise taxpayers across the country. It is not an extra document for citizens to carry, but a digital tool that ensures transparency and compliance in the tax system.
Benefits for Nigerians
She highlighted that the system promotes inclusivity and easier access to banking. “Individuals and businesses can open and operate bank accounts using their NIN or RC number, with the TIN automatically integrated behind the scenes,” she said.
Other benefits include :
Fraud prevention: reducing fake or duplicate identities.
Regulatory compliance: banks using one trusted source for verification.
Financial inclusion: extending access to associations and other legal groups.
Global compatibility: aligning Nigeria’s tax system with international standards.
Clearing the misconception
Atoyebi stressed that fears of Nigerians being barred from banking services without a separate TIN are misplaced.
“In practice, a Nigerian walking into a bank with their NIN is already tax-compliant. The bank retrieves their TIN as part of the onboarding process. Far from being a hurdle, the TIN system is a gateway to financial inclusion, transparency and efficiency,” she concluded.
