FIRS Clarifies: No Separate TIN Needed for Bank Accounts
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has debunked reports suggesting that Nigerians will be required to obtain a separate Tax Identification Number (TIN) before opening or operating bank accounts.
The agency explained that the newly introduced framework is already integrated with existing national databases such as the National Identification Number (NIN) and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) records, meaning citizens do not need to undergo any additional registration.
Concerns had mounted after speculation that from January 2026, banks would demand a TIN for all account operations, sparking fears of fresh bureaucratic hurdles.
Reacting to the claims, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the FIRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, described the reports as misleading.
She explained that the TIN is simply a statutory tool used to uniquely verify taxpayers, whether individuals, businesses, or associations. According to her, individuals are already tax-compliant once they provide their NIN, as the system automatically links it to a TIN during processes such as bank account opening and Know Your Customer (KYC) checks.
Atoyebi further clarified that businesses are automatically covered through their CAC registration numbers, which serve the same linking function.
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