No Separate TIN Required to Operate Bank Accounts- FIRS

By Ladan Nasidi,Kano

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has clarified that Nigerians do not need to obtain a separate Tax Identification Number (TIN) in order to own or operate a bank account, contrary to recent media reports.

The agency explained that the new tax administration framework integrates seamlessly with existing national identity systems, including the National Identification Number (NIN) for individuals and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration details for businesses.

The clarification followed public concern after reports claimed that from January 2026, every Nigerian would be required to present a TIN to open or maintain a bank account.Many citizens feared the policy would create fresh bureaucratic bottlenecks.

According to the Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Zacch Adedeji, addressed the matter in a statement on her official X handle.“

In recent debates about Nigeria’s tax reforms, a misconception has spread that citizens without a TIN cannot operate a bank account.

In reality, Nigeria’s tax system has evolved to integrate seamlessly with existing registries, ensuring every individual or entity is automatically identifiable for tax purposes,”

Atoyebi explained that the TIN is a 13-digit unique identifier for all taxable persons and entities, automatically generated from existing records.

She said, for individuals, it is linked directly to their NIN, while for businesses and organizations, it is tied to their CAC registration numbers.“This means citizens do not need to manually apply for or present a tax ID before opening a bank account. Once a person provides their NIN for bank verification, the system automatically retrieves and attaches their TIN in real time,” she added.

The FIRS official further noted that the integration removes duplication, reduces fraud risks, and ensures that all taxpayers whether individuals, companies, or associations—are seamlessly captured under the national tax system.

The FIRS also urged the public to disregard misleading reports and assured that the reforms under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (2025) were designed to make tax compliance simpler and more efficient, without creating unnecessary barriers.