Oluwatobi Adu 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Fidelity Bank Plc warns customers that bank accounts not linked to a Tax Identification Number (TIN) or National Identity Number (NIN) may face transaction restrictions from January 1, 2026, under Nigeria’s new tax compliance regime.
In messages sent to customers on Monday, the bank cites requirements under the Nigerian Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025, urging account holders to update their records to avoid disruptions. “The NTAA 2025 stipulates that all bank accounts must be linked to a tax ID or NIN,” the bank says. “Accounts without this information may be restricted from transacting from January 1, 2026.”
The move aligns with federal government efforts to strengthen tax compliance and improve revenue tracking, particularly among income-earning individuals and businesses.
Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, explains that the provision is rooted in Section 4 of the NTAA. “A taxable person is anyone who earns income through trade, business or economic activity,” Oyedele says. “Banks are therefore required to request a tax ID from taxable persons.”
He adds that while the requirement existed under the 2020 Finance Act, the updated NTAA introduces stronger enforcement mechanisms for financial institutions starting next year. Non-income earners, including students, remain exempt from TIN requirements.
Banks are expected to play a frontline role in implementation, effectively linking financial access to compliance with national tax and identity systems. Customers are advised to act early to avoid service interruptions as the deadline approaches.
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