The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has officially confirmed that the National Identification Number (NIN) issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will now automatically serve as a Tax Identification Number (TIN) for individual Nigerians. The announcement was made as part of a public awareness campaign on new tax laws shared on social media on Monday.
For registered businesses, the FIRS clarified that their Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration number will serve as the company’s Tax ID under the new system. This move aligns with the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA), which is set to take effect in January 2026, and aims to unify all existing TINs into a single, streamlined identifier.
According to FIRS, this automatic Tax ID system will simplify identification, reduce duplication, close loopholes for tax evasion, and ensure that all individuals and companies contributing taxable income are accounted for. “You do not need a physical card; your Tax ID is directly linked to your identity,” the agency stated.
The development reassures Nigerians concerned about new requirements for opening bank accounts. With over 123.9 million Nigerians already issued a NIN as of October 2025, most citizens now automatically have a Tax ID, eliminating the need for a separate registration process. This is expected to make compliance easier and more efficient for both individuals and businesses.
Experts have emphasized that only those earning taxable income are required to have a Tax ID. Students, dependents, and individuals without income are exempt. The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, confirmed that since 2020, corporate and business bank accounts have required a Tax ID, ensuring that the new law builds on existing compliance frameworks rather than introducing entirely new obligations.
source: nairametrics