The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has debunked speculation that Nigerians must obtain a separate Tax Identification Number (TIN) to operate bank accounts, stressing that the system is already integrated with the National Identification Number (NIN) and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) databases.
The clarification came after a wave of reports claimed that, beginning January 2026, Nigerians would not be able to open or keep bank accounts without presenting a TIN.
Reacting to the concerns, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji, said the reports were misleading.
She explained that the 13-digit TIN automatically links with existing registries. For individuals, it connects to the NIN issued by the National Identity Management Commission, while for businesses, it integrates with the CAC registration number.
“This means citizens do not need to manually apply for or present a tax ID before opening a bank account. The system handles the integration in real time,” she noted.
Atoyebi further highlighted the benefits of the system: seamless banking, reduced fraud, global compatibility, and improved regulatory compliance.
She concluded, “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.”
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