Commercial banks across Nigeria have begun issuing strong notices to customers, urging them to link their bank accounts to either a National Identification Number (NIN) or a Tax Identification Number (Tax ID) in preparation for the enforcement of new tax regulations.
The directive follows the Nigerian Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025, which mandates that all bank accounts must be linked to a valid identification number before the law becomes effective on January 1, 2026.
Banks Begin Countdown to Compliance
In messages shared with customers, banks warned that failure to update account information before the deadline will result in restrictions on affected accounts.
Fidelity Bank, in a notice released on Wednesday, explained that the NTAA 2025 requires every bank account to be linked to a Tax ID or NIN before January 1, 2026.
The bank stated: This implies that accounts without Tax ID or National Identity Number may be restricted from transacting as from January 1, 2026.”
Similarly, Ecobank issued its own advisory, instructing customers to complete their NIN linkage on or before November 13, 2025. The bank noted that accounts not updated by the deadline risk being restricted.
How Ecobank Customers Can Link Their NIN
Ecobank provided detailed steps for customers to update their NIN via the Ecobank Customer Information Portal:
- Visit the Customer Information Portal.
- Select “Update Your Account Details.”
- Enter your account number.
- Choose your preferred OTP delivery method.
- Select “Request Type” and choose “NIN Update.”
- Input your NIN, then re-enter it for vNIN verification.
- Click Submit to complete the process.
The bank added that customers can also contact their relationship managers or visit the nearest Ecobank branch for assistance.
Why the Policy Matters
The new identification requirement aims to improve tax administration, enhance financial transparency, and strengthen regulatory oversight. By linking bank accounts to NINs or Tax IDs, authorities can better verify customer identity and improve compliance with national tax laws.
Customers Advised to Act Quickly
With the January 1, 2026 deadline approaching, banks are urging customers to update their details early to avoid last-minute issues or disruptions in transactions.
Nigerians with unlinked accounts may face restrictions ranging from limited access to funds to complete suspension of account activity until compliance is achieved.
