The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has refuted claims that Nigerians must obtain a separate Tax Identification Number (TIN) before they can open or operate bank accounts.
The agency clarified that the new framework is fully integrated with existing national registries, including the National Identification Number (NIN) and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) records, and does not impose additional requirements on citizens.
The clarification followed widespread concerns after reports suggested that from January 2026, Nigerians would be compelled to present a TIN to maintain or open bank accounts, raising fears of fresh bureaucratic hurdles.
Reacting to the reports, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the FIRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, described the claims as misleading.
She explained that the TIN is not a separate requirement but a statutory tool for uniquely verifying taxpayers—whether individuals, businesses, or associations within the national tax system.
According to her, individuals are already tax-compliant once they provide their NIN. The system automatically links the NIN with the TIN during processes such as bank account opening and Know Your Customer (KYC) checks, eliminating the need for citizens to manually apply for or present a TIN.
Atoyebi further noted that registered businesses are covered through their CAC registration numbers.
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