There have been growing questions and concerns among Nigerians about whether bank accounts without a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) will be blocked from January 2026.

From January 1, 2026, all Nigerians who are required to pay tax, both individuals and businesses must have a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) to properly operate a bank account. However, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has clarified that there is no need to apply for a separate or physical TIN card, as the system has already been integrated with existing national databases.

Despite this clarification, many Nigerians remain confused about what the policy means for banking, businesses, and daily financial activities. This confusion has been worsened by social media rumours suggesting that bank accounts without linked TINs will be blocked before January.

While banks are expected to begin requesting customers especially taxable persons to link their tax IDs to their accounts, the claim that accounts will be automatically blocked immediately is misleading.

To explain the policy, Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, addressed the issue in a recent interview shared on his social media page. According to him, having a TIN will indeed be mandatory for taxable persons operating bank accounts in Nigeria from 2026, but important exemptions apply.

As Oyedele explained:

“Section 4 of the NTAA states that all taxable persons are required to register and obtain a tax identification number (Tax ID). A taxable person refers to anyone who earns income from trade, business, or any form of economic activity.

As a result, banks are required to request a Tax ID from individuals who fall into this category. This means that people who do not earn income such as students or dependents are not required to have a Tax ID.

He added that the policy is not entirely new. The requirement has existed since the Finance Act of 2020, which amended Section 49 of the Personal Income Tax Act. Since then, anyone operating a bank account for business purposes has been expected to have a TIN.

When asked what would happen to taxable individuals or businesses that fail to link their bank accounts with a TIN by January 1, 2026, Oyedele warned of possible restrictions in the future.

Any taxable person who does not have a Tax Identification Number may face difficulties operating their bank account in the future.

He also addressed widespread fears by clearly outlining exemptions. The compulsory TIN requirement does not apply to people who do not earn income, such as students and dependents, who can continue operating their bank accounts without a TIN.

“But this exemption does not apply to individuals who earn income from investments or business,” Oyedele said.

Oyedele further dismissed claims that the government plans to secretly remove money from people’s bank accounts, stressing that the policy is focused on improving tax compliance, not penalising innocent citizens.

In June 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed four major tax reform bills into law, collectively known as the Nigerian Tax Reform Acts. These laws were designed to streamline Nigeria’s tax system, harmonise existing tax laws, strengthen tax administration, and make it easier to do business in the country.

In summary, bank accounts belonging to taxable individuals and businesses will eventually require a linked TIN, but accounts belonging to non-income earners are exempt. Nigerians are advised to seek accurate information and avoid panic caused by unverified social media claims.

A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), located at Gwarimpa, has admitted Dr Chris Ngige, who previously served as Minister of Labour and Employment under former President Muhammadu Buhari, to bail amid his trial for alleged contract fraud and gratification.

On Wednesday, Justice Maryam Hassan granted Ngige bail by adopting the administrative bail conditions previously set by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which include surrendering his passport to the agency.

The court further added conditions to ensure his attendance at trial.

As part of the bail terms, Ngige must provide one surety who is a director in the Federal Government, owns landed property in the Abuja Municipal area, and holds an international passport.

The judge mandated that the surety deposit both the passport and the Certificate of Occupancy for the property with the court registry.

Justice Hassan also instructed Ngige to surrender his passport once he obtains a new one, in compliance with the bail conditions.

Ngige, who was formerly the governor of Anambra State and held the ministerial position from 2015 to 2023, faces an eight-count charge brought by the EFCC alleging contract fraud and receipt of gratification amounting to approximately ₦2.2 billion.

He was arraigned on December 12 and entered a not guilty plea to all charges when they were read in open court.

After the plea, the court directed that he be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Facility until his bail application was heard and decided.

Following the grant of bail, the court has scheduled the next hearings for January 28 and 29, 2026, to proceed with the trial.

Security agencies nationwide have deployed special forces and tactical units ahead of today’s nationwide protest organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The mobilisation comes as the labour centre insists on proceeding with what it calls a “National Day of Protest and Mourning” over escalating insecurity and deepening economic hardship.

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed its preparedness to maintain law and order during the demonstrations, warning that it will not tolerate violence, vandalism, or attempts by miscreants and political hirelings to hijack the protests.

The planned protest is expected to take place across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following the NLC’s decision to act against worsening insecurity, unresolved labour matters, the rising cost of living, and what it described as the government’s failure to safeguard lives and livelihoods.

Despite concerns expressed in some quarters, the NLC has maintained that it will not retreat from the action.

The congress’ spokesperson, Benson Upah, confirmed on Tuesday that affiliate unions had been fully mobilised and that the protest would proceed as scheduled.

“We are going on with the protest across the country,” Upah said.

He cautioned that any attempt to obstruct the demonstrations could spark a nationwide indefinite strike, adding that intelligence reports suggest “unscrupulous agencies and desperate political hirelings” may attempt to infiltrate or violently disrupt the protests.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Upah emphasised that the labour movement would not tolerate harm to protesters or members of the public.

“Our action tomorrow is not just a mere procession; it is a collective act of grief, a roar of despair from the oppressed, and a democratic demand for the fundamental right to life and security,” the statement read.

He warned that any attack on the protest would carry serious consequences.

“Any attack on our protest will be an attack on the very engine of Nigeria. The consequence will be an escalation and a total shutdown,” the union said.

The NLC stated that the injury or death of even one worker or citizen would result in an immediate and indefinite shutdown of activities across all sectors of the economy.

The congress linked the protest to broader national and labour concerns, including unfulfilled agreements with the Federal Government, soaring living costs, and the impact of insecurity on workers’ safety, productivity, and livelihoods.

It also mourned the loss of its members, as well as teachers, farmers, miners, and other artisans who have been killed or displaced by banditry, kidnapping, and violent attacks nationwide.

Presenting the protest as a civic intervention rather than a purely labour dispute, the NLC said the demonstrations are intended to galvanise public opinion and compel authorities to prioritise security, governance reforms, and economic justice.

The labour centre has directed all state chapters to mobilise members for peaceful protests, stressing that the action is lawful and protected under the Constitution.