Banks Warn Account Holders to Link NIN/TIN by Jan 1, 2026 to Avoid Restrictions

 

As part of the sweeping reforms introduced under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025 and associated tax legislation, Nigerian commercial banks are alerting customers to take immediate action: link their bank accounts to either their National Identification Number (NIN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN) to avoid account restrictions set to begin in 2026.

What’s changing and why it matters

Banks such as Fidelity Bank and Ecobank Nigeria have issued notices that starting from 1 January 2026, accounts that are not linked to a valid tax ID or NIN risk being restricted from transaction activities. 

Specifically:

Fidelity Bank states that under the new NTAA 2025 legislation, all bank accounts must be linked to a tax ID or NIN to remain accessible. 

Ecobank has urged customers to link their NIN by 13 November 2025 to stay ahead of the restriction deadline. 

The reforms stem from the federal government gazetting the new tax reform laws (including the NTAA 2025, the Nigeria Tax Act (NTA) 2025, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025 and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act, 2025) on 9 September 2025. 

What this means for you

If you are a bank account holder in Nigeria, you must act now:

If you already have a Tax Identification Number (TIN), ensure your bank account has this properly linked.

If you do not have a TIN, you must at least link your NIN.

Failure to do so may result in your account being restricted from transactions after the beginning of 2026 (or earlier, per bank-specific deadlines).

Banks provide self-service options: for example, Fidelity Bank offered a USSD code (77002#) or instruction via their NIN portal. 

Ecobank customers can update via the “Customer Information Portal” on their website by selecting “NIN updates” and submitting verification steps. 

Why the government is enforcing this

The new tax laws aim to broaden Nigeria’s tax base, improve revenue collection, reduce tax evasion and ensure better compliance by linking identity, taxation and banking information. Embedding NIN and TIN requirements into bank account operations helps ensure that every bank account corresponds with a verified identity and tax record. The reforms are part of a broader push to modernize Nigeria’s tax architecture and financial sector transparency.

Keep in mind — practical tips

Check your bank profile: Visit your bank portal or branch and verify whether your NIN or TIN is currently recorded.

Submit early: Although the blanket deadline is 1 January 2026, some banks have earlier cut-off dates. Don’t wait until the last minute.

Save your confirmation: After linking, ensure you get confirmation (email, SMS or printed receipt) from the bank to validate your update.

Understand possible restrictions: If your account is not linked, you may find it is restricted for withdrawals, transfers or other transactions until compliance is met.

File for TIN if needed: If you don’t have a TIN and your bank or tax situation requires one, apply for it sooner rather than later to avoid issues.

Final thoughts

With a clear deadline approaching, the message from Nigeria’s banks is firm: get your NIN or TIN linked now or risk transactional freeze. This is a pivotal step in the government’s tax reform drive and it impacts every bank customer across the country. By taking this simple step now, you will avoid inconvenience and ensure seamless access to your bank account. Better early action than last-minute headaches.