The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has dismissed claims that Nigerians must present a separate Tax Identification Number (TIN) to open or operate bank accounts.
Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, technical assistant on broadcast media to the FIRS chairman, Zacch Adedeji, said Nigeria’s tax framework now integrates with existing national registries. This approach, she explained, makes individuals and businesses automatically identifiable for tax purposes without adding new hurdles.
READ ALSO: FIRS, OAGF Launch Strategic Talks to Boost Revenue Drive
Atoyebi described the TIN as a 13-digit code assigned to all taxpayers. It includes details such as the year of issuance, registry source (NIN for individuals or RC Number for businesses), state of registration, and a security fragment.
“For individuals, the TIN is automatically linked to the National Identification Number (NIN),” she said. “When customers provide their NIN at the bank, the system cross-checks the database and retrieves their TIN in real time.”
Businesses also benefit from this design. Their TINs are tied to RC Numbers issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Partnerships, cooperatives, and professional associations have theirs linked to their recognised registries.
READ ALSO: Tax ID Becomes Mandatory for Bank Accounts from January 2026
Atoyebi outlined several advantages of the new system:
- Seamless banking: Customers open accounts with an NIN or RC Number while the TIN links automatically.
- Fraud prevention: Duplicate or fake identities are harder to create since every taxpayer connects to a verified registry.
- Regulatory confidence: Banks and regulators rely on one verified source for KYC and compliance.
- Inclusivity: The framework covers individuals, companies, associations, and trustees.
- Global relevance: The system connects with international financial and compliance platforms.
Atoyebi stressed that Nigerians do not need to present a separate tax ID at banks. “Anyone presenting their NIN at a bank is already tax-compliant,” she explained. “Rather than a barrier, the TIN framework is a gateway to inclusion, transparency, and global relevance in Nigeria’s digital economy.”
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
