By Oluwatunmise Omoseyin
Fidelity Bank has announced that it will begin restricting transactions on accounts that are not linked to a Tax Identification Number (TIN) or a National Identity Number (NIN) from January 1, 2026.
The bank confirmed that the move is in line with the Nigerian Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025, which requires all bank accounts to be connected to a valid tax identity. Customers without a TIN will be required to use their NIN instead.
Fidelity Bank, in a message sent across to all customers, warned that accounts without the required details may face transaction limits if the information is not updated before the deadline;
Accounts that do not have a tax ID or NIN will be restricted from transacting starting January 1, 2026 – the bank stated
The directive follows the federal government’s push for stronger tax compliance across the financial system.
Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, stated that the National Tax Administration Act (NTAA) provides the legal backing for banks to enforce full compliance nationwide.
The government aims to improve tax collection, strengthen financial transparency, and reduce unreported income, by making it mandatory for all bank customers to link their bank accounts to their respective TIN or NIN.
Fidelity Bank advised individuals and small business owners who have not registered a TIN or linked their NIN to do so as soon as possible, warning that failure to comply could result in limits on transfers, withdrawals, and other banking services.
