Fidelity Bank Says Customers Without TIN Can Continue to Operate Bank Accounts
Fidelity Bank has reassured its customers that opening or operating an account does not require obtaining a new Tax Identification Number (TIN), despite the Nigerian Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025 taking effect today.
In a notice obtained by PulseNets, the bank clarified that all existing TINs remain valid and that customers who do not yet have a TIN can continue to use their accounts without any form of restriction. According to the bank, account operations will not be disrupted solely due to the absence of a TIN.
Fidelity Bank, however, encouraged customers to ensure that their National Identification Numbers (NINs) are properly updated and linked to their bank accounts, as part of ongoing compliance with national identity and tax regulations.
The clarification follows an earlier advisory issued by the bank on December 15, in which customers were warned that accounts not linked to either a TIN or NIN could face transaction limitations beginning January 1, 2026. That advisory referenced provisions of the NTAA 2025, which mandates the linkage of all bank accounts to a recognised tax identifier.
Under the law, customers without an existing TIN are required to link their NIN to their bank accounts, a measure the bank said aligns with the government’s broader tax administration reforms.
PulseNets learnt that the TIN and NIN clarification forms part of a wider overhaul of Nigeria’s tax framework, signed into law in June 2025. The legislation designates the National Identification Number as the official tax identifier for individuals, while Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration numbers will serve as the tax reference for corporate entities.
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Beyond identity requirements, the updated tax law also revises income thresholds for personal taxation, expands the tax net to cover digital assets and foreign-provided services, and introduces stricter compliance obligations. These include enhanced reporting standards and tougher penalties for late or non-compliant tax filings.
